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 1355238 times)

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 #1820 on: February 12, 2013, 02:51:48 PM »
FYI most banks offer debit cards that can be used for these things (if it has a 16 digit number).For example I have a MasterCard Direct at the moment.)

Offline Yossi.

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Nov 2011
  • Posts: 1091
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
    • View Profile
  • Location: Brooklyn, NY
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1821 on: February 12, 2013, 02:54:09 PM »
FYI most banks offer debit cards that can be used for these things (if it has a 16 digit number).For example I have a MasterCard Direct at the moment.)
That's what I tried to ask them at Poalim but they told me such a thing does not exist... Asked for some king of prepaid debit cards as well and they told me no as well...

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 #1822 on: February 12, 2013, 03:15:48 PM »
FYI most banks offer debit cards that can be used for these things (if it has a 16 digit number).For example I have a MasterCard Direct at the moment.)
-1
Networks who dont accept US cards, don't accept Debit cards.

Offline Yossi.

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Nov 2011
  • Posts: 1091
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
    • View Profile
  • Location: Brooklyn, NY
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1823 on: February 12, 2013, 03:16:38 PM »
-1
Networks who dont accept US cards, don't accept Debit cards.
+1
I remember seeing that on Golan or 012 smile website

Offline Flying Fish

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: Jul 2011
  • Posts: 217
  • Total likes: 3
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1824 on: February 12, 2013, 04:09:39 PM »
3 months in how long?
Not sure, I didn't ask because I don't want them to think I'll constantly freeze it. I'll try again after my next trip and see if they let me.

Offline thetobster12345

  • Dansdeals Silver Elite
  • **
  • Join Date: Nov 2011
  • Posts: 62
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1825 on: February 13, 2013, 09:35:27 AM »
if I get a text from a 12 digit 972 number and I respond from a USA number, will that be an international text? anyone have experience texting from a US number to an Israeli number?

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 #1826 on: February 13, 2013, 09:45:44 AM »
thetobster12345 - Yes. That is an international test.

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 #1827 on: February 13, 2013, 12:41:46 PM »
Very helpful information on APN configuration. (all networks)

http://prepaidisraelisim.com/index.php?route=information/information&information_id=7

Offline thetobster12345

  • Dansdeals Silver Elite
  • **
  • Join Date: Nov 2011
  • Posts: 62
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1828 on: February 13, 2013, 08:13:48 PM »
thetobster12345 - Yes. That is an international test.

here's the funny thing, I called AT&T to make sure it would be an international text and they told me it wouldn't. I got the representative to promise me that if I got charged any fees for texting it then she'd refund all the charges. Looks like I get free texting to Israel until my statement closes

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 #1829 on: February 13, 2013, 08:15:32 PM »
thetobster12345 - Have fun fighting for your money back.

Offline 972sg212

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite
  • ****
  • Join Date: Jun 2012
  • Posts: 397
  • Total likes: 3
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 11
    • View Profile
  • Location: New York / Jerusalem
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1830 on: February 13, 2013, 08:19:03 PM »
here's the funny thing, I called AT&T to make sure it would be an international text and they told me it wouldn't. I got the representative to promise me that if I got charged any fees for texting it then she'd refund all the charges. Looks like I get free texting to Israel until my statement closes

IIRC
International charges take longer than 24 hrs to post

Offline sillypainter

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jan 2012
  • Posts: 2068
  • Total likes: 200
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1831 on: February 13, 2013, 08:51:17 PM »
IIRC
International charges take longer than 24 hrs to post

Are you on prepaid-Gophone? Then yes, it includes unlimited SMS.

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 #1832 on: February 17, 2013, 07:50:06 AM »
can't believe what I just found, they rip off the Israeli's more than tourists.
spot the difference between HOT Hebrew and English site:


ההצטרפות לרשת HOT mobile דרך האתר נעשית ברכישת כרטיס SIM בעלות חד פעמית של 49 ₪. באפשרותך להצטרף עם מכשירי GSM תומכים מדור 3 ומעלה. ניתן לרשום עד 5 משתמשים שונים.



Join HOT mobile in 3 simple steps
You can join HOT mobile's network on the website by purchasing a SIM card For a onetime cost of 39 NIS. You can join with GSM devices that support 3 rd Generation and above.

Online Moishebatchy

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jun 2011
  • Posts: 7278
  • Total likes: 150
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 23
    • View Profile
  • Location: Jerusalem
  • Programs: Arzei Makolet Platinum, Yossi's Makolet Silver, Yesh! Gold, Rav Kav Dirt
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1833 on: February 17, 2013, 08:42:05 AM »
can't believe what I just found, they rip off the Israeli's more than tourists.
spot the difference between HOT Hebrew and English site:


ההצטרפות לרשת HOT mobile דרך האתר נעשית ברכישת כרטיס SIM בעלות חד פעמית של 49 ₪. באפשרותך להצטרף עם מכשירי GSM תומכים מדור 3 ומעלה. ניתן לרשום עד 5 משתמשים שונים.



Join HOT mobile in 3 simple steps
You can join HOT mobile's network on the website by purchasing a SIM card For a onetime cost of 39 NIS. You can join with GSM devices that support 3 rd Generation and above.

You don't think it's a typo?

Offline yuneeq

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jan 2013
  • Posts: 8611
  • Total likes: 3999
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 10
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: NJ
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1834 on: February 17, 2013, 09:01:48 AM »
You don't think it's a typo?

Or they simply forgot to update the English information.
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 #1835 on: February 17, 2013, 09:12:36 AM »
Is there different sign up pages as well? Or just different information pages?

Offline sky121

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: May 2011
  • Posts: 11513
  • Total likes: 168
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 12
    • View Profile
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1836 on: February 17, 2013, 10:16:46 AM »
I'm not an iphone user so hoping someone could help me out.

My mother is off to Israel and I finally cut her sim card for her to use with her SPRINT iphone5. Does she just put it in and it will automatically start using Golans network?

Does she have to change any of the settings to get the Data working?

Thanks in Advance.
"Not all who wander are lost"

Offline dd321

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Apr 2011
  • Posts: 1354
  • Total likes: 4
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1837 on: February 17, 2013, 10:33:05 AM »
I'm not an iphone user so hoping someone could help me out.

My mother is off to Israel and I finally cut her sim card for her to use with her SPRINT iphone5. Does she just put it in and it will automatically start using Golans network?

Does she have to change any of the settings to get the Data working?

Thanks in Advance.
is it unlocked??

Offline yuneeq

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jan 2013
  • Posts: 8611
  • Total likes: 3999
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 10
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: NJ
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1838 on: February 17, 2013, 11:10:06 AM »
You should change the APN settings for her, though IME it gets updated by itself. Also make sure that the data is set to roaming. Don't ask me why.
Visibly Jewish

Offline sky121

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: May 2011
  • Posts: 11513
  • Total likes: 168
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 12
    • View Profile
Re: Cell Phones in Israel
« Reply #1839 on: February 17, 2013, 11:17:41 AM »
"Not all who wander are lost"