Topic Wiki

*=More info below
Company  Price  Sim  Talk/SMS  Web  Free Int'l  Signup Bonus  Israeli CC  Real TZBlackerry
Hot99₪49₪Unlimited3GB31 countries49₪/6 months*  Yes*Yes*
Golan99₪49₪UnlimitedUnlimited  53 countries  ₪59 /1st yearYesNoNo
01292₪Unlimited3GB42 countries*44₪/6 months  YesYes29₪
Rami Levy89₪59₪Unlimited1GB  No1₪/3 monthsYesYesNo
PelephoneYes*Yes*Free
Partner129/135₪*0₪*Unlimited  1GB/3GBAdd'l 20₪NoNoNo*39₪
CellcomA lot of $180₪  NoNo75₪

Rule #1- The Israeli cell phone service market is difficult. But cheap.
Rule #2- It is illegal for a company to "lock you in" a contract. ALL plans may be cancelled at any time with no penalty. Though, they do prevent you from opening and closing plans by charging a sim card "fee". This fee must always be paid even if paid for once before, and ranges from 39₪ to 180₪.
Rule #3- For those places that need an Israeli credit card, you may need to get one from an Israeli bank with a passport and income information although YMMV.
Rule #4- It is rarely, if ever, worthwhile to rent a "vacation plan" or prepaid, as the price for a regular unlimted plan for a month is less that a vacation plan for a week. Get a GSM phone that covers 900/1800 bands and save your money
Rule #5- All Israeli plans, whether regular or prepaid, include free incoming calls/texts.

Hot- 99₪ a month - includes unlimited calls, text and data (3 gb, then slow) and unlimited to 32 countries. Free home internet supply included. They currently have an offer if you port a number from a different network, to get the first six months for just 49₪ a month. You can move your package to a 10₪ a month plan, which includes 50 minutes and texts. You can also freeze the line once a year for up to 3 months. Regarding signup- you can use an American CC and fake TZ over the phone as one user has done.

Golan - Service is passable, but can be subpar in certain areas. There are two plans with Golan. There's the 99₪ unlimited talk/text/internet/international calling plan, which also gives you up to 2 virtual foreign numbers. This plan also includes for many countries unlimited global data roaming (6GB high-speed), incoming calls & texts, and calls & texts to Israel. They also offer a ₪29 per day data-roaming plan which gives 100MB a day in these countries. These roaming options can be very useful for foreigners regardless of whether they need Golan for Israel. See their website for details.There's a promo deal to get the 99 plan for ₪59 /month for the 1st year. There's also a ₪10 a month plan, which includes 60 min for domestic/US & CA and landlines in many countries, unlimited SMS and 10 MB of Internet, with add'l mins ₪.18 domestic, ₪.08 to US/CA and landlines in many countries, and data ₪.09 /MB. Its great for those short trips here. SIM should work in an iPad for data; you can also order a car SIM which will allow you to have 2 SIMs which draw from same plan.
[To get the sim in the USA before your trip:  golanusa.net will ship it to you for $14 (more for rush) and the 49 nis for the sim. Golan bills on the 25th of the month.  The days before the first 25th are freeprorated.(So for a trip between the 26th and the 24th of the month, you don't pay the 59 nis or 99 nis plan fee.)]

012mobile - Runs on Partner service, you will get an 054 number (unless you ported). Unlimited - 49₪ for the first 6 months and 92₪ from thereon after for unlimited everything too. Includes 3GB Data and 500 minutes to US/CA (any phone) and 40 other countries (landlines only). 9₪ plan includes 60 minutes, 60 SMS, and 100MB data. Additional domestic minutes/SMS are ₪ .09, Int'l calls to to US/CA (any phone) and 40 other countries (landlines only) are ₪ .25 per min. Add'l data bundles are available starting from ₪ 19 for 1 GB. 5GB Laptop/Tablet (data only) is 98₪.

Pelephone - Online, they accept fake TZ and US CC.

Partner - 129₪ a month for unlimited talk, text, and 1GB. 135₪ for 3GB. Family plans are cheaper.Free sim for online orders. Extra 20₪/mo. for 500 min. int'l calling. Extra 39₪ for Blackberry. May need to give 500₪ deposit that you (may) get back when you cancel the plan.  One can freeze line without charges for up to 3 months when not needed (not sure if allowed more than once per 12 months).

Freedomhot.com - 2/19/2023 - They have local pickup in lots of major frum areas and delivery too. They accept US CC. Runs on Hot Mobile. Copying and pasting from their website.
All monthly plans include: Unlimited Calls & Texts to Israeli phone numbers Unlimited outgoing calls to USA and Canada and landlines to 33 additional countries.
Unlimited incoming calls and texts from anywhere in the world. Prices include all taxes.
59 Shekels - 70GB LTE Internet Data
79 shekels - 150GB LTE Internet Data
KOSHER - Voice Only - 64 Shekels
One-time SIM card fee: 49 Shekels
Optional: add a virtual USA number for $15 per month

Misc. Info
APN settings

On Hot Mobile you can check how much data was consumed either by downloading the app or by texting גלישה  to phone number 530 from your hot mobile phone,you can as well try calling this number *6733.

Note by Menucha:
Please note: as of 4/1/13, most carriers reduce period of intro rates and at times increased cost for monthly intro. I suggest we leave the above as is, but please keep in mind new changed, which are not negotiable and based on govt agreements. monthly flat rate is still great and same. (post intro)
Also, while reps wont tell you, typically you will get longer intro rate if you activate account on your own on line, and not via rep (phone or store). confirmed with carrier. Enjoy! flat monthly, even without intro rate is still one of the lowest you will come across in the west!

Israeli cellphone rentals:

1) Talkinisrael.com
Phone: +972587564477
Whatsapp: +972536299365
Email: info@talkinisrael.com 
if you should have any problems feel free to send me a pm and I will try to help you the best I can.
Plans for sale here are primarily for long term rentals.(students and the like.)


2) Israel Rent-a-cell SIM card or eSIM with calling and data. Also you can get SIMs for Israel Kosher phones!
Contact at Israelrentacell@gmail.com or WhatsApp 972-55-333-1234
Overnight or standard delivery in USA/delivery in Israel! Pickup locations in Lakewood and Israel.
* Unlimited calls and texts in Israel
* Unlimited calls to USA, Canada and landlines in 35 countries
* Unlimited incoming calls
* 70 GB of data (can add an extra 80GB of data)
* eSIMs available!
* Free voicemail
Student discount available, $29.97 monthly, including tax! Never surprise charges or hidden fees!

3) Cellular Israel - 072-224-3300 or 718-289-0195 Full Service - short term and long term, rent phones, Kosher phones, SIM cards, mifi devices, Waze by the day or month. American Customer Service!
info@cellularisrael.com

4) Simforisrael@gmail.com free delivery to anywhere

5) UnlimitedIsrael (DansDeals Advertiser with many positive reviews on DDMS & DDF) is the leading provider of SIM card & iPhone rentals for Israel in the US.
  • Unlimited calls & texts within Israel
  • Unlimited calling to the US and Canada
  • Lightning Fast 4G Internet Speeds
  • Unlimited 4G data
  • Sim Cards - $5/day
  • iPhones - $45/week
  • Kosher Phone - $4/day
  • Mifi Hotspot - $6/day
Use code SUAVE10 for 10% off any order
« Last edited by shmuelb on August 06, 2023, 12:48:30 PM »

Author Topic: Cell Phones in Israel  (Read 1355443 times)

Offline sruly

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #940 on: November 27, 2012, 04:50:03 PM »
How long does it take from when you sign up to golan till the sim comes to your house ?

if you want to keep the sim alive for future trips do you have to change to the 10 shekel plan or can you close it out and open it again next time you need it ?

Offline rots5

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #941 on: November 27, 2012, 04:52:39 PM »
How long does it take from when you sign up to golan till the sim comes to your house ?

if you want to keep the sim alive for future trips do you have to change to the 10 shekel plan or can you close it out and open it again next time you need it ?

around 4 days
If you have any questions please search and then ask. PM me for detailed help.

Offline sruly

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #942 on: November 28, 2012, 11:22:05 AM »
Does anybody have a unlimited golan nano sim that i can rent from dec 4-16 ?

Offline mmermss

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #943 on: November 28, 2012, 11:27:44 AM »
Does anybody have a unlimited golan nano sim that i can rent from dec 4-16 ?

Why only golan?
It's not about the quantity of your posts.  It's about the quality.

Offline sruly

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #944 on: November 28, 2012, 12:33:22 PM »
Why only golan?
you are right any unlimited card (i guess i just thought that golan was the most popular)

Offline ygift

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #945 on: December 02, 2012, 02:44:37 PM »
i need aphone from dec 30 till jan 9.
I want something unlimited including data (email mainly)My son has a plan that costs 121 shekel a month( when he started they told him 113 but im being charged 121 on the cc) and he wants to change to hot. im thinking maybe to do the change when i come so that ill be able to get that rate even though i only need  the 10 days. (he will keep his old plan till i leave)
i know there was lots of stuff written about hot but it confusing. can someone help me out and tell me if that makes sense.
is hot a good service and will it work all over enven if there isnt a wifi signal?

Offline ygift

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #946 on: December 02, 2012, 08:41:43 PM »
if hot is a good idea then where do i get it? will they do it with an american credit card? I heard that you have to go to Malcha mall. Is there any way to get it in the geula area? or how about in ben gurion?

Offline bhphotoman

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #947 on: December 03, 2012, 12:33:49 AM »
Looking for a sim that will work in your standard android need unlimited data

Renting from the 9-10 of Dec till 17-19 what is there available

Or what phone company can I rent from that's quality

Thanks

Online Moishebatchy

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #948 on: December 03, 2012, 02:06:21 AM »
Looking for a sim that will work in your standard android need unlimited data

Renting from the 9-10 of Dec till 17-19 what is there available

Or what phone company can I rent from that's quality

Thanks

PM me.

Offline rots5

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #949 on: December 03, 2012, 02:19:00 AM »
need an unlocked phone here in IL any idea? cheap just workable -
If you have any questions please search and then ask. PM me for detailed help.

Offline mmermss

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #950 on: December 03, 2012, 02:21:49 AM »
need an unlocked phone here in IL any idea? cheap just workable -
For short term use or want to buy?
It's not about the quantity of your posts.  It's about the quality.

Offline rots5

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #951 on: December 03, 2012, 02:23:35 AM »
For short term use or want to buy?

forsure till pesach maybe even shorter
If you have any questions please search and then ask. PM me for detailed help.

Online Moishebatchy

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #952 on: December 03, 2012, 06:18:19 AM »
Okay, I have officially taken as much crap as I am willing to take from Cellcom. I've absolutely had it. We are getting a divorce. ;D

Now debating between HOT Mobile and Golan (unless someone thinks a different carrier would be better). I make some calls, send a moderate amount of SMS, use LOTS of Internet (i.e. not getting throttled after 1 GB would be awesome), and sometimes call America. Te'udat zehut and Israeli credit card are not an issue for me.

Questions:

1) HOT Mobile: do they allow you to choose your own number? On their site, there doesn't seem to be any such option... if I go into a store, will they let me?

2) HOT Mobile or Golan: if I port my existing number there, what happens during those four days (or so) until they mail me the SIM? (Yes, I know HOT has stores, but they're running a web-only special now.)  Does Cellcom deactivate my account as soon as I sign up with HOT/Golan, or do I have until the new SIM arrives and I activate it? Which brings me to my next (similar) question...

3) If I port my number, how soon does Cellcom become aware of my "betrayal"? I'm still fighting with them over some 1,000 NIS of charges. Right now I have threatened several times that I will leave them if this doesn't get sorted out, and shockingly, it does seem to be having some effect (however minimal that effect may be); however, once I go ahead and actually do it, I lose my leverage. So how soon does Cellcom get notified that I've jumped ship? As soon as I sign up for my new account, or only upon activation?

4) If the answer to questions 2 and 3 is "upon activation", then what happens if I get the new SIM in the mail, but choose not to activate it for, say, another week - will that cause any issues? i.e. Will the new carrier cancel my account - or just activate it on their own - if I don't activate within a certain amount of time? If not, it would be a great way to have "pas b'salo" - order SIMs now, and have them already in my possession the instant I'm ready to switch...

5) Number porting and changing: both HOT Mobile and Golan are running specials now specifically for people who port their numbers over from another carrier. Once I become their customer, will they then let me change to a new 053/058 number? At the end of the day, I'm not too crazy about my existing number, and the port would be pretty much just to take advantage of the special. So I'd love to change it afterward, for free. Can that be done?

6) Right now, despite the fact that both HOT Mobile (including unlimited calls to the US) and Golan are the same 99 NIS, I'm leaning toward HOT because (1) they have physical locations I can go to if I have a problem, and (2) they have a 10 agorot plan I can switch to for when I'm out of the country. Am I missing anything? Is there any reason I should choose Golan instead - i.e. is their service better, or their Internet faster, or whatever?

TIA!
« Last Edit: December 03, 2012, 06:23:13 AM by Moishebatchy »

Offline mmermss

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #953 on: December 03, 2012, 06:57:29 AM »
Okay, I have officially taken as much crap as I am willing to take from Cellcom. I've absolutely had it. We are getting a divorce. ;D

Now debating between HOT Mobile and Golan (unless someone thinks a different carrier would be better). I make some calls, send a moderate amount of SMS, use LOTS of Internet (i.e. not getting throttled after 1 GB would be awesome), and sometimes call America. Te'udat zehut and Israeli credit card are not an issue for me.

What is HOTs special now?
It's not about the quantity of your posts.  It's about the quality.

Online Moishebatchy

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #954 on: December 03, 2012, 07:00:28 AM »
What is HOTs special now?

Why not look at their site? :)

Offline Jkhein

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #955 on: December 03, 2012, 07:24:03 AM »
@moishebatch (too long to quote all :)
Its sad that people take this whole divorce thing for granted :-) :-)
The porting happens at activation, so you can do it a week later.
The company you are porting from, finds out instantly, and usually call you right away to persuade you to stay, and up to four hours later your new sim will be working.
Not tried both but Golan works fine for me. Though someone has complained to me about not good 3G coverage. 
You can not change your number once you chose to port your old one. (if you really want a good number, you can maybe choose one at hot, than port it to Golan or w.)

Offline sawlw

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #956 on: December 03, 2012, 07:28:52 AM »
Why not look at their site? :)

First 2 months FREE

Offline ygold90

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #957 on: December 04, 2012, 12:43:51 AM »
im looking to rent a phone/sim card in israel for a week along wit 6 other people from jan 6th-13th. if anyone can help please PM me.   Thanks!!

Offline BISPRO

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #958 on: December 04, 2012, 06:39:11 AM »
im looking to rent a phone/sim card in israel for a week along wit 6 other people from jan 6th-13th. if anyone can help please PM me.   Thanks!!

there is million of rental company's now

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #959 on: December 04, 2012, 06:40:42 AM »
need an unlocked phone here in IL any idea? cheap just workable -

c2-01 , on zap now for 380
or http://www.buy2.co.il/Center/dailydeal/index/b660ffca-cc2b-449e-b8aa-2afe3759b7bc