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 1355956 times)

Offline Jkhein

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Oct 2010
  • Posts: 4586
  • Total likes: 17
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
    • View Profile
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1400 on: January 15, 2013, 01:32:10 AM »
And rots5, you can do that, but rumor has it you're stuck with that ported number after that. No changing.
I think i once said that, but i can now confirm, that you can very easily change your number once your with Golan, online.

Offline rots5

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jul 2011
  • Posts: 7996
  • Total likes: 27
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 17
    • View Profile
    • Custom Cakes for Every Occassion
  • Location: Monsey
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1401 on: January 15, 2013, 02:37:41 AM »
I think i once said that, but i can now confirm, that you can very easily change your number once your with Golan, online.

That's only once u have golan.  But I want to port a friends number
If you have any questions please search and then ask. PM me for detailed help.

Offline L'Chaim

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: Apr 2012
  • Posts: 758
  • Total likes: 2
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1402 on: January 15, 2013, 03:33:46 AM »
That's only once u have golan.  But I want to port a friends number
I think that in order to port it need to be under the same name (otherwise you can port anyone's number...).

Offline Chaikel

  • Global Moderator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: Jun 2008
  • Posts: 6812
  • Total likes: 174
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 20
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Programs: LH SEN, SPG Plat, Hyatt Plat, Rav Kav Platinum
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1403 on: January 15, 2013, 04:45:44 AM »
I think that in order to port it need to be under the same name (otherwise you can port anyone's number...).
-1, and shush
Create professional looking itineraries.
Check out eliteitinerary.com

Offline rots5

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jul 2011
  • Posts: 7996
  • Total likes: 27
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 17
    • View Profile
    • Custom Cakes for Every Occassion
  • Location: Monsey
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1404 on: January 15, 2013, 04:55:44 AM »
-1, and shush
+1. Shhhhhh.   Don't tell anyone :-)
If you have any questions please search and then ask. PM me for detailed help.

Offline Jkhein

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Oct 2010
  • Posts: 4586
  • Total likes: 17
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
    • View Profile
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1405 on: January 15, 2013, 05:39:25 AM »
I think that in order to port it need to be under the same name (otherwise you can port anyone's number...).
no need, you just need that sim while you port, because it will give you an automatic call or text and you need to confirm.

BTW. Hot does not allow to move over to the free plan, it will only let you sign up to that plan when joining initially. But, you can freeze up to three months a year, and an interesting policy they have, it's one freeze per year.

Offline rots5

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jul 2011
  • Posts: 7996
  • Total likes: 27
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 17
    • View Profile
    • Custom Cakes for Every Occassion
  • Location: Monsey
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1406 on: January 15, 2013, 09:00:05 AM »
Last thing when porting from orange to golan. If the orange phone is a black berry does that make a diff ? I don't want bb service. Wife has an iPhone
If you have any questions please search and then ask. PM me for detailed help.

Offline yuneeq

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jan 2013
  • Posts: 8611
  • Total likes: 4000
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 10
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: NJ
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1407 on: January 15, 2013, 10:24:46 AM »
Last thing when porting from orange to golan. If the orange phone is a black berry does that make a diff ? I don't want bb service. Wife has an iPhone

I did the exact same thing for my wife.  She had BB on cellcon and I moved it to Golan without any issues. She also switched to an iphone with the switch.

Btw, Golan doesn't support BB service as of now anyways.
Visibly Jewish

Offline real-brisker

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Nov 2011
  • Posts: 2424
  • Total likes: 15
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1408 on: January 15, 2013, 01:06:40 PM »
Last thing when porting from orange to golan. If the orange phone is a black berry does that make a diff ? I don't want bb service. Wife has an iPhone
Don't think it makes a difference.

Offline rots5

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jul 2011
  • Posts: 7996
  • Total likes: 27
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 17
    • View Profile
    • Custom Cakes for Every Occassion
  • Location: Monsey
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1409 on: January 15, 2013, 02:05:32 PM »
Don't think it makes a difference.
nice quote :-).  And thanks. 

And I know theres no bb service
If you have any questions please search and then ask. PM me for detailed help.

Offline shnu

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: Jul 2011
  • Posts: 146
  • Total likes: 8
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1410 on: January 15, 2013, 05:02:57 PM »
I am interested in renting a cell phone while in Israel.  I am looking for advise on renting in the US vs Israel and which company is best.  Thanks

Offline real-brisker

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Nov 2011
  • Posts: 2424
  • Total likes: 15
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1411 on: January 15, 2013, 06:37:53 PM »
Rot - ;-)

Offline rots5

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jul 2011
  • Posts: 7996
  • Total likes: 27
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 17
    • View Profile
    • Custom Cakes for Every Occassion
  • Location: Monsey
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1412 on: January 16, 2013, 07:30:21 AM »
just went onto my golan account and i see this ... what it mean?

Please note that this month 's billing includes charges for  International Long Distance communications (via 012 Smile and 018 Exphone), for the period of May 15, 2012- November 2012.
The charges are for communication you have used through a different Long Distance carier than Golan Telecom 016.
For questions regarding the billing please contact the International Long Distance carrier you had selected: 012 Smile: *3012 , Exphone: *0018.
To change the International Long Distance carrier - click here.
If you have any questions please search and then ask. PM me for detailed help.

Offline Chaikel

  • Global Moderator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: Jun 2008
  • Posts: 6812
  • Total likes: 174
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 20
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Programs: LH SEN, SPG Plat, Hyatt Plat, Rav Kav Platinum
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1413 on: January 16, 2013, 08:20:20 AM »
just went onto my golan account and i see this ... what it mean?

Please note that this month 's billing includes charges for  International Long Distance communications (via 012 Smile and 018 Exphone), for the period of May 15, 2012- November 2012.
The charges are for communication you have used through a different Long Distance carier than Golan Telecom 016.
For questions regarding the billing please contact the International Long Distance carrier you had selected: 012 Smile: *3012 , Exphone: *0018.
To change the International Long Distance carrier - click here.
It means you made calls with 012 and 018, instead of 016.
Create professional looking itineraries.
Check out eliteitinerary.com

Offline yuneeq

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jan 2013
  • Posts: 8611
  • Total likes: 4000
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 10
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: NJ
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1414 on: January 16, 2013, 08:23:53 AM »
just went onto my golan account and i see this ... what it mean?

Please note that this month 's billing includes charges for  International Long Distance communications (via 012 Smile and 018 Exphone), for the period of May 15, 2012- November 2012.
The charges are for communication you have used through a different Long Distance carier than Golan Telecom 016.
For questions regarding the billing please contact the International Long Distance carrier you had selected: 012 Smile: *3012 , Exphone: *0018.
To change the International Long Distance carrier - click here.
I remember that somewhere in the settings page it lets you choose which company to use for outgoing intl calls. Make sure that golan is chosen.
Visibly Jewish

Offline rots5

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jul 2011
  • Posts: 7996
  • Total likes: 27
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 17
    • View Profile
    • Custom Cakes for Every Occassion
  • Location: Monsey
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1415 on: January 16, 2013, 08:48:47 AM »
i use 001 every time i make out going calls to america
If you have any questions please search and then ask. PM me for detailed help.

Offline Jkhein

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Oct 2010
  • Posts: 4586
  • Total likes: 17
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
    • View Profile
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1416 on: January 16, 2013, 08:51:09 AM »
i use 001 every time i make out going calls to america
but you have to make sure in your profile that your carrier is golan, for your international calls. if not it goes thrugh 012 etc which can cost a small fortune.

Offline rots5

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jul 2011
  • Posts: 7996
  • Total likes: 27
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 17
    • View Profile
    • Custom Cakes for Every Occassion
  • Location: Monsey
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1417 on: January 16, 2013, 08:51:53 AM »
its in my acct that i am using golan, but when i make calls i dial 001
If you have any questions please search and then ask. PM me for detailed help.

Offline Jkhein

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Oct 2010
  • Posts: 4586
  • Total likes: 17
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
    • View Profile
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1418 on: January 16, 2013, 08:54:32 AM »
its in my acct that i am using golan, but when i make calls i dial 001
that's fine. do you have extra charges for international calls or just that message?

Offline rots5

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jul 2011
  • Posts: 7996
  • Total likes: 27
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 17
    • View Profile
    • Custom Cakes for Every Occassion
  • Location: Monsey
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1419 on: January 16, 2013, 09:06:10 AM »
I just saw that message now.  Though i haven't gotten a bill since sept :-)
If you have any questions please search and then ask. PM me for detailed help.