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 1355276 times)

Offline Galitzyaner

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1080 on: December 31, 2012, 01:16:50 AM »
Just so that you all know, Hot Mobile no longer allows you to change from any plan to the 10 agurot (free) plan!

I'm not the only one who'se experienced this, they tell me it's until they update their website with the option to change plans online (its about time), strange reason, I don't see a connection.

Having done the change back and forth before, I was at a loss what to do this time, as I was not interested in paying 10 shekel/mo. just to keep the number..  After long conversation, the best way forward, was to switch to 10 shekel plan for one month (so I'd be charged 10 for one month) and then set it to automatically "freeze" for the following months till the next time I'd need it (so no charge for the following months).

My hope is that within the next few months they'll have the online switch enabled.

Offline real-brisker

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1081 on: December 31, 2012, 02:01:15 AM »
And via telephone they couldn't switch it?

Offline Galitzyaner

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Re: Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1082 on: December 31, 2012, 02:17:09 AM »
And via telephone they couldn't switch it?
The whole conversation above, was via telephone.  They don't yet offer any possible changing of plans online.

Offline real-brisker

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1083 on: December 31, 2012, 03:04:24 AM »
I understand online you can't switch it. But the reps are that incapable that they cant even switch

Offline madhatter349

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1084 on: January 01, 2013, 11:47:50 AM »
Any update on whether HOT is allowing to switch to the free plan. I'm going to israel and it seems as if HOT is the best bang for your buck with unlimited internet.

Offline az

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1085 on: January 01, 2013, 12:59:23 PM »
the best deal (you have to have an Israeli cc)  i found for unlimited in Israel is this: http://www.012mobile.co.il/?ad_type=44_all&gclid=COG3l9rax7QCFcNV3godCXcA3w
For six months for 44₪, after six months 98 ₪ a month
The plan includes:
Calls and unlimited sms
Browsing volume 3GB
Calls to the U.S. and Canada
Unlimited (mobile and stationary)
or
Calls and unlimited sms
Browsing Volume 2GB
Overseas calls - 42 countries (U.S. and Canada - even mobile)
and checkout this guy: http://davidwenner.blogspot.co.il/  ,he has allot to say about phone plans in Israel

Offline real-brisker

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1086 on: January 01, 2013, 01:03:26 PM »
Any update on whether HOT is allowing to switch to the free plan. I'm going to israel and it seems as if HOT is the best bang for your buck with unlimited internet.
I spoke with them. It didn't sound like you can switch to the free plan. (I only spoke to one rep...)
But You could switch to the 10 Shekel Plan.

Offline Jkhein

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1087 on: January 01, 2013, 01:27:51 PM »
and checkout this guy: http://davidwenner.blogspot.co.il/  ,he has allot to say about phone plans in Israel
from six months ago?

Offline az

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1088 on: January 01, 2013, 01:47:23 PM »
what,its not worth reading?
from six months ago?
what,not worth reading? its educational!!! and he has links to all the top providers   

Offline madhatter349

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1089 on: January 01, 2013, 02:16:49 PM »
so if switching to the free plan on HOT is no longer an option, what do you guys recommend now as a good option for those who only need cell service for 1 month?

Offline Galitzyaner

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1090 on: January 01, 2013, 02:19:47 PM »
so if switching to the free plan on HOT is no longer an option, what do you guys recommend now as a good option for those who only need cell service for 1 month?
Read my post above.  Pay 10 shekel for 1 month of service on the 10 shek plan, than have it "frozen" till the next time you come.

Offline real-brisker

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1091 on: January 01, 2013, 03:49:58 PM »
Gal - Why can't you freeze without switching?

Offline Galitzyaner

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1092 on: January 01, 2013, 04:08:57 PM »
Gal - Why can't you freeze without switching?
Good point, but IIRC she told me that you first have to pay for a month before you freeze, so if I have to pay for another month which I'm anyways not using, it may as well be 10 shek and not 99!

BTW, in case you haven't realized, I'm a guy, not a gal ;)

Offline rots5

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1093 on: January 01, 2013, 04:18:46 PM »
so i just was in malcha spoke to a few of the services.

012 mobile - first 6 months is 44 shek and after that its 88 unlimited everything - though u need a tz and a bank

pelephone - 109 for unlimited everything besides calling US - 129 with calling CHUL

hmobile (home centers) 89 shek unlimited IL and 109 unlimted to everything
If you have any questions please search and then ask. PM me for detailed help.

Offline az

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1094 on: January 01, 2013, 04:32:56 PM »
so i just was in malcha spoke to a few of the services.

012 mobile - first 6 months is 44 shek and after that its 88 unlimited everything - though u need a tz and a bank

pelephone - 109 for unlimited everything besides calling US - 129 with calling CHUL

hmobile (home centers) 89 shek unlimited IL and 109 unlimted to everything
pelephone and hmobile needs tz and a bank ?

Offline rots5

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1095 on: January 01, 2013, 04:41:22 PM »
pelephone and hmobile needs tz and a bank ?

everyone is now is requiring it!
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 #1096 on: January 01, 2013, 04:43:20 PM »
everyone is now is requiring it!
Orange is not...AFAIK
It's not about the quantity of your posts.  It's about the quality.

Offline Galitzyaner

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1097 on: January 01, 2013, 04:45:22 PM »
so i just was in malcha spoke to a few of the services.

012 mobile - first 6 months is 44 shek and after that its 88 unlimited everything - though u need a tz and a bank

pelephone - 109 for unlimited everything besides calling US - 129 with calling CHUL

hmobile (home centers) 89 shek unlimited IL and 109 unlimted to everything
A) Since when does anyone require a bank acct?  Is a CC not good enough?

B) What are "(home centers)"?

C) Since when is Hot 109?  Are they not 99 for the plan incl. 30 s/t countries?

Offline Galitzyaner

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1098 on: January 01, 2013, 04:46:00 PM »
Orange is not...AFAIK
TZ?  Bank acct?  Israeli CC?

Offline mmermss

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1099 on: January 01, 2013, 04:46:57 PM »
TZ?  Bank acct?  Israeli CC?
Nope.
Nope.
Nope.

Unless things changed in the past week.
It's not about the quantity of your posts.  It's about the quality.