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 1355227 times)

Offline rots5

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1620 on: January 28, 2013, 05:51:31 PM »
you shouldn't of been holding for too long. After 3 minutes they should give you an option to call you back, as per Israeli law.
seems like try all have the same "achi .... Haolaaaam..." Jingle. Lol

Muchedet
El al
Cellcom
Bezek

(The ones im familiar with). Lol
If you have any questions please search and then ask. PM me for detailed help.

Offline real-brisker

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1621 on: January 28, 2013, 07:10:22 PM »
Rots5 - LOL!

Offline NY152

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1622 on: January 30, 2013, 07:13:33 AM »
Noobie here.
Currently in Yerushalayim and looking to rent a phone for a month. I don't have any Israeli credit cards. I'm looking for unlimited calls and texts. If possible, also cheap rates to the US. What's my best bet? Offers, pm me...

Offline Twin

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1623 on: January 30, 2013, 07:28:51 AM »
Noobie here.
Currently in Yerushalayim and looking to rent a phone for a month. I don't have any Israeli credit cards. I'm looking for unlimited calls and texts. If possible, also cheap rates to the US. What's my best bet? Offers, pm me...
If you can get a copy of someone's tudat zhute then you could do hot it comes out for the first month 80 sheck and the next 3 months I'd 30 sheck. The hot in malch mall dosnt care if its your tudat zhute.

Offline Jkhein

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1624 on: January 30, 2013, 07:30:23 AM »
If you can get a copy of someone's tudat zhute then you could do hot it comes out for the first month 80 sheck and the next 3 months I'd 30 sheck. The hot in malch mall dosnt care if its your tudat zhute.
and to buy sim card for 50 shekel. he only needs it for one month.

Offline yuneeq

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1625 on: January 30, 2013, 07:32:37 AM »
Noobie here.
Currently in Yerushalayim and looking to rent a phone for a month. I don't have any Israeli credit cards. I'm looking for unlimited calls and texts. If possible, also cheap rates to the US. What's my best bet? Offers, pm me...

If you can get a copy of someone's tudat zhute then you could do hot it comes out for the first month 80 sheck and the next 3 months I'd 30 sheck. The hot in malch mall dosnt care if its your tudat zhute.

Both of you should read the wiki http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=139.msg0.msg#0

NY152, I suggest you sign up to whatever you're able to; golan, pelephone (free initial 3 months if signing up before tomorrow), hot, 012, or rami levy (free initial 3 months). On top of the plan, add a sim card fee and that's it.

Cancel whenever you like for free. 
« Last Edit: January 30, 2013, 07:37:58 AM by yuneeq »
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Offline cozmohoot

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1626 on: January 30, 2013, 08:29:02 AM »
Cost not being an issue   
I'm here for a week and I may be able to use my cousins teuda
Which is the easiest to get and maintain with an American cc??
I tried the wiki and I still can't tell
Tia

Offline real-brisker

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1627 on: January 30, 2013, 08:33:12 AM »
Cozomhoot - I would say golan.

I doesn't seen like anyone here really tested out 012 yet.

Offline Jkhein

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1628 on: January 30, 2013, 08:34:44 AM »
Cozomhoot - I would say golan.
-1, not with an american cc.

Offline cozmohoot

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1629 on: January 30, 2013, 08:43:04 AM »
-1, not with an american cc.
So what's the easiest one to start off with and maintain from the USA ?

Offline Jkhein

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1630 on: January 30, 2013, 08:45:34 AM »
So what's the easiest one to start off with and maintain from the USA ?
I don't know if Hot still allows US CC.

Offline cozmohoot

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1631 on: January 30, 2013, 08:58:19 AM »
I don't know if Hot still allows US CC.
My cousin just said that golan does take us cc

Offline yuneeq

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1632 on: January 30, 2013, 09:19:58 AM »
My cousin just said that golan does take us cc

It never worked for me, though my cousin said the same thing ;)
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Offline real-brisker

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1633 on: January 30, 2013, 10:07:39 AM »
Jkhein - You can't start off on golan with an IL CC and then switch to an american CC?

Offline Jkhein

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1634 on: January 30, 2013, 01:31:34 PM »
Jkhein - You can't start off on golan with an IL CC and then switch to an american CC?
NAFAIK

Offline yuneeq

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1635 on: January 30, 2013, 02:01:59 PM »
Jkhein - You can't start off on golan with an IL CC and then switch to an american CC?

Just tried switching, didn't work. Used Amex and a debit Mastercard. It's funny that it doesn't actually show an error (english site), but if you look at the url you'll see an error message. Additionally, where it shows the last 4 digits of the CC it still has my old CC showing.

If anyone has different results, let us know what card you used, what TZ, etc.
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Offline real-brisker

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1636 on: January 30, 2013, 02:55:59 PM »
NAFAIK
A  quote special for you ;)

You are correct. I just spoke to golan, and you need a IL CC and cannot switch to a chul CC afterwards.

However a good find was, that the IL CC doesn't need to match the TZ used on the golan account.     

Offline Jkhein

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1637 on: January 30, 2013, 04:49:30 PM »
A  quote special for you ;)

You are correct. I just spoke to golan, and you need a IL CC and cannot switch to a chul CC afterwards.

However a good find was, that the IL CC doesn't need to match the TZ used on the golan account.   
thanks  ;)
yeah, thats just 012mobile's meshugas.....

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1638 on: January 30, 2013, 05:19:22 PM »
thanks ;) yeah, thats just 012mobile's meshugas.....
I guess I confused the two...

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Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1639 on: January 30, 2013, 05:26:45 PM »
I think we should bed to the wiki a list of websites and phone numbers to the different SP.