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Basics[]

Operators[]

Israel has three historical network operators that offer prepaid:

  • Cellcom
  • Partner (formerly Orange)
  • Pelephone

While there are several additional MNOs and MVNOs, 5 of them offer prepaid options:

  • HOT Mobile (by Altice)
  • 019 (MVNO on Partner)
  • Rami Levy (MVNO on Pelephone)
  • Golan Telecom (to be merged with Cellcom)
  • 012 Mobile (MVNO on Partner)

Frequencies and Coverage[]

2G and 3G: GSM is on 900 and 1800 MHz, 3G is on 2100 MHz like in most of Europe with additional 850/900 MHz. Most of the country is covered at around 97-99% of the population aside from parts of the unsettled north or the Negev desert in the south, but mostly there is full coverage of the country, although there is currently no coverage map available.

4G/LTE: LTE was introduced in 2014, and works in most areas on 1800 MHz (band 3) with Partner also utilising 2100 MHz (band 1), and there are plans to add 2600 MHz (band 7) to all networks in the future. According to Opensignal in 2022, the three legacy network operators have 4G average download speeds of 24-29 Mbit/s and average upload speeds of 7.2-9.0 Mbit/s.

5G/NR: 5G was introduced by Pelephone, Hot Mobile, Cellcom and Partner in September 2020 on 3500 MHz (n78), with additional frequencies on 2600 MHz (n7) and 700 MHz (n28a) added after that. As of June 2023, Pelephone, Hot Mobile, Cellcom, Partner and 012 Mobile have opened 5G for prepaid customers on their more expensive premium high-data packages and on a few cheaper lower-data packages. Hence, for visitors whose devices support 5G, it is very much recommended to purchase a 5G-enabled packages.

The following table contains the frequencies of the local operators. Be advised to check, if your device is compatible to them or use the website Will My Phone Work?

Network Cellcom Partner Pelephone Golan Telecom Hot Mobile
2G 1800 900, 1800 N/A 1800 Partner
3G 900, 2100 900, 2100 850, 2100 2100, 850 2100
4G

LTE

700 (B28), 1800 (B3), 2600 (B7) 700 (B28), 1500(B32), 1800 (B3), 2100 (B1), 2600 (B7) 700 (B28), 850 (B5), 1800 (B3), 2600 (B7) 1800 (B3) 1800 (B3)
5G

NR

3500 MHz (n78),

700 MHz (n28a),

2600 MHz (n7)

3500 MHz (n78)

700 MHz (n28a)

2600 MHz (n7)

3500 MHz (n78),

700 MHz (n28a)

2600 MHz (n7)

Cellcom 3500 MHz (n78),

700 MHz (n28a),

2600 MHz (n7)

Some more network providers only employ 4G/LTE networks like the new WE4G by 018 Xfone and use domestic roaming for 2G and 3G instead, but don't offer prepaid plans and so are not mentioned any further.

Availability and Legal requirements[]

Prepaid SIM cards are available in most cellphone shops (with many of them in every city) and in some kiosks. While you can find the 3 historical operators (Partner, Cellcom and Pelephone) in almost any store, the 2 MVNOs are a bit harder to find and not always available in all the stores. You can spot a sticker on the store front indicating, that they sell HOT Mobile or 019 SIM cards.

All Israeli prepaid SIM cards are anonymous and do not require any registration, ID checks or activation.

Price comparison with the rest of the world[]

UK internet comparison site cable.co.uk has ranked Israel as 1st out of 237 countries/territories in terms of mobile data affordability with data costing on average ₪ 0.08 (approximately US$0.02) per GB (July 2023). This means Israel's data prices are the most affordable in the world and approximately US$1.64 per GB cheaper than the global median.[Cable 1]

Having said that, only special tourist SIM cards are on sale at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv (TLV); there is no place to buy any regular SIM cards there. It's highly recommended to avoid buying such tourist cards in the airport because they are very heavily overpriced. So wait until you get to town, where street prices of mobile packages are among the cheapest in the developed world. There is also a free WiFi network at the airport.

Israeli SIM cards cost nowadays around ₪30-₪50 and come without any balance or package. That means you need to top-up and/or add packages when you buy them. Israeli regulations permit a mobile subscription to be disconnected (terminated) after 12 months without usage.

Recharges[]

You can go to any cellphone shop, post office and some kiosks in the country and ask to add credit to your phone number. As for recharging online, currently there appears to be only one option to use PAYXPRESS.co.il, but that one requires you to register in order to top-up online. Whether that service only accepts Israeli credit cards, or if foreign cards are accepted also, needs verification. Or, in case you hold a WebMoney account, then apparently you can also recharge Hot Mobile (still referred to as Mirs), Pelephone, Cellcom and Partner (still referred to as Orange) from your purse as well, but signing up and using WebMoney might be cumbersome for most users, also that recharge service is subject to operator availability and you only can top up main balance, not data/SMS/special packages. As there are no other credit card recharge options from outside of the country, it's hard to maintain an Israeli SIM card from abroad. A possible solution is to use some of the 3rd party agencies mentioned at the end of the article.

SIM scams[]

Beware that some shops may sell postpaid SIM cards as "prepaid" ones. Postpaid is much cheaper in Israel, but it can leave the buyer with a problem: some SIM cards might be disconnected later as the seller removes the line and thinks that a tourist will not return to his shop.

2G/3G shutdown[]

While many operators in Europe and the US are already shutting down their 2G/3G networks in order to clear out frequencies for 4G and 5G, Israeli operators are expected to shut down both their 2G and 3G networks only by 2026, because there are still many sectors of Israeli society that depend on them such as the ultra-Orthodox population who abstain from smartphones due to cultural and religious reasons. The exception is Pelephone who already shut down its 2G CDMA network in 2017 and is currently the only Israeli operator that has no 2G fallback.

Cellcom []

לוגו סלקום 2021

Cellcom's new logo (Since 2021)

Cellcom is one of the historical providers. Shops and reloads can be found everywhere. They still have the most customers in the country on their network. Cellcom's prepaid plan is called "TalkMan" and referred as the generic word for prepaid cards in Israel.

Cellcom has bought Golan Telecom in 2020 and is expected to merge their networks pending government approval.

To change your system language, dial *777, followed by 7 and 4 for English. To check balance, dial *11777#.

Data and Talk packages[]

Pay as you go rate for data ₪10 per day for up to 50 MB, so better buy packages.

Price Data

Calls

SMS Validity Call Credit

Data, Text and Call plans:

₪49 3 GB 1500 mins 350 7 days SMS limit
₪59 100 GB 3000 mins 1500 30 days SMS limit

UDSP

₪70 10 GB 5000 mins

in network

- 30 days SMS limit

₪70 for dom use ₪65 for dom and intern. use

₪79 250 GB 5000 mins 1500 30 days 5G + SMS limit + UDSP + ₪40 for dom and intern. use
₪99 500 GB 5000 mins 1500 30 days UDSP + ₪40 for dom and intern. use
₪140 1000 GB 5000 mins 1500 30 days 5G + SMS limit + UDSP + ₪75 for dom and intern. use
Data-only plans:
₪99 15 GB - 30 days
₪129 20 GB - 30 days
₪149 200 GB - 30 days

*UDSP = Unlimited data on selected apps: WhatsApp, Waze, Google maps, Facebook and Instagram

*SMS limit = Celcom has added an sms sending limit of 50 sms per day.

More info[]

Partner (formerly Orange)[]

593px-Partner logo

New logo and colours after rebranding in February 2016

Partner, formerly known as Orange, is another historical provider. They are owned by local Partner Communications, who used the Orange brand under license until 2016, but have rebranded getting rid of the orange colour.

Their pay-as-you-go plan is called "BigTalk".

Availability[]

You can also buy Partner (ex Orange) SIM cards in many cellphones shops and retailers around Israel for ₪30~40 without any credit on them. They are also sold at the Steimatzky bookstore at Ben Gurion Airport, at 1.5-2x higher prices.

To change system language dial *111 and press 7 and then 4 for English. To check balance, dial *111#.

New SIM cards are enabled for 2G/3G networks only. To activate LTE/4G, dial *454 and follow voice instructions. Available languages: Hebrew, Russian, Arabic, English.

Data and Talk packages[]

Using data without a plan: ₪4.01 per MB. As this rate is very high, do not use data without a plan.

Price Data

Calls

SMS Validity Extra
Data, Text & Call plans:
₪60 125 GB 3500 mins 1500 30 days *SMS limit
₪70 150 GB 3500 mins 1500 30 days *SMS limit

₪20 for dom and intern. use ₪20 for intern. use via 012

₪77 100 GB 5000 mins 1500 30 days 5G
₪80 200 GB 3500 mins 1500 30 days *SMS limit

₪25 for dom and intern. use ₪20 for intern. use via 012

₪85 500 GB 5000 mins 1500 30 days 5G
₪100 500 GB 3500 mins 1500 30 days *SMS limit

₪30 for dom and intern. use ₪30 for intern. use via 012

Data-only plans:

₪150 1000 GB - 30 days

*SMS limit = partner has added an sms sending limit of 50 sms per day.

Make sure to tell the person who recharges your credit what package you need. There are several packages at the same price, but without data package, you'll end up with high rate per MB.

Some other packages are around but give worse per-GB rates than the ones showed in the table.

More info[]

  • APN: uinternet
  • Check balance: *11777#.

Pelephone[]

Pelephone

Hebrew logo

Pelephone is the oldest operator in Israel, founded in 1986. It was a CDMA only network from 1998 until 2009 when it became a GSM compatible 3G/4G/5G network, that means that only GSM phones supporting 3G on 850 and 2100 MHz, 4G/LTE on 1800 MHz and/or 5G/NR on 3500 MHz can use it. Today it is the only network without 2G coverage in Israel since the 2G CDMA network has been shut down in July 2017. Check your device to make sure it supports the GSM frequencies mentioned above.

Pelephone pay-as-you-go plan is called "Talk & Go".

eSIM[]

All of Pelephone's prepaid plans can be bought on eSIM by visiting https://www.pelephone.co.il/digitalsite/eng/abroad/israeliesim/

Data and Talk packages[]

Pelephone-0

English logo

Using the SIM without a package NIS 3 for the first 10 MB, any additional MB is NIS 2 up to a daily max of NIS 49. So better use data packages. If your balance is below NIS 3, you won't receive any data at all.

Unlimited data on selected apps[]

Pelephone gives unlimited data on some packages not debited from the main data balance for these apps: Instagram, Waze, Facebook, WhatsApp, Snapchat. marked in the table as UDSP.

Price Data Calls SMS Validity Extras
Data, Text & Call plans:
₪25 300 MB 300 mins 300 3 days
₪59 100 GB 3000 mins 1500 30 days SMS limit + UDSP
₪76 200 GB 3000 mins 1500 30 days SMS limit + UDSP

₪30 for calls outside Israel

₪79 250 GB 3000 mins 1500 30 days SMS limit + UDSP
₪99 500 GB 3000 mins 1500 30 days UDSP* + 5G
₪140 1000 GB 3000 mins 1500 30 days SMS limit + UDSP + 5G

₪70 for internatl. calls

Data-only plans:
₪49 5 GB - 30 days
₪70 50 GB - 30 days UDSP*
₪150 200 GB - 30 days UDSP*

*UDSP = Unlimited data on selected apps: WhatsApp, Waze, Google maps, Facebook and Instagram

*SMS limit = Pelephone has added an sms sending limit of 50 sms per day.

More info[]

HOT Mobile (Hottalk) by Altice[]

Hot mobile new logo

Hot logo

HOT Mobile together with Golan Telecom (another operator which is hard to use for foreigners) started a "mobile revolution" in Israel in 2012. They are 3G and 4G-only networks, but there is a national network sharing agreement with Partner, so you get full coverage including 2G fallback. You may need to enable data roaming on your phone to get stable internet connection all over Israel, without surcharges. 2G is on 900 and 1800 MHz on Partner network, 3G on 900 MHz (through Partner) and on 2100 MHz (own network). 4G/LTE started recently on own 1800 MHz network.

Altice

Altice's logo

Hottalk[]

In 2015 they started classic prepaid SIM cards called Hottalk. They can be purchased at their sales centers and many post offices and shops for a ₪49 fee and are valid for 180 days.

Their basic pack has only one default rate of ₪0.21 per 1 minute, 1 outgoing SMS or 1 MB of data. They offer different packages that you need to book at point of purchase or by calling customer service at *6733.

Data and Talk packages[]

Price

Data Calls SMS Validity Call credit
Data, Text & Call plans:
₪29 20 GB 1000 mins 1000 10 days
₪50 50 GB 3000 mins 3000 30 days
₪59 100 GB 3000 mins 3000 30 days + ₪30 for intern. calls
₪69 150 GB 3000 mins 3000 30 days
₪79 250 GB 3000 mins 3000 30 days 5G + ₪40 for intern. calls
₪99 500 GB 3000 mins 3000 30 days 5G
₪139 750 GB 3000 mins 3000 30 days 5G + ₪100 for intern. calls
Data-only plans:
₪29 20 GB - 30 days
₪49 80 GB - 30 days

More info[]

019 mobile[]

019

019 mobile is operated by 019 Telzar International Telecommunication Services LTD. It's a fairly new Israeli cell phone company that offers various telecommunications services and now offers a mobile prepaid plan. Without any own infrastructure so far, it operates as MVNO on the Partner network in 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE under a national roaming agreement.

Availability[]

You can find 019 SIM cards in many cellphone shops around Israel. While not as common as Partner/Cellcom/Pelephone SIM cards, it isn't difficult to find them. Most stores who sell them will have a 019 sticker on the front of the store.

It appears that the retail system of 019 allows the re-sellers and shops to adjust the price that is shown on the screen. So some shops might show you higher prices than the official ones. Better double check when adding credit, so you won't pay more then you have to.

Data and Talk packages[]

Pay as you go rate on 019 cards is ₪4 per MB. So better buy packages. To check balance, type *019.

  • All 019 "unlimited" plans come with "unlimited" domestic calls and SMS with a FUP of 3000 minutes and 3000 SMS per week or month depending on plan.
Price Data

Calls & SMS

Validity

Extras

Data, Text & Call plans:
₪35 1 GB unlimited 7 days
₪49 50 GB unlimited 30 days
₪59 55 GB unlimited 30 days + ₪30 for intern. calls
₪69 150 GB unlimited 30 days
₪74 20 GB unlimited 30 days + ₪40 for intern. calls
₪75 2 GB unlimited 14 days + 500 minutes intern. calls to landline
₪99 45 GB unlimited 30 days + ₪45 for intern. calls
₪150 30 GB unlimited 30 days + ₪100 for intern. calls
₪170 14 GB unlimited 14 days + unlimited intern. calls (unknown countries)
Data-only plans:
₪34 6 GB - 30 days
₪45 30 GB - 30 days

Airport Plans[]

019 also has a mobile store located in the arrivals hall at Ben Gurion airport that sells only "special tourist" packages with data and international calls on arrival, the website (Link) indicates a booking is needed to get a SIM, but it's likely that you can also buy in on arrival to the shop.

Price

Data

Calls & SMS

Validity

Extras

US$ 29 10 GB unlimited 10 days Unlimited international calls,

see additional info below

US$ 49 30 GB unlimited 30 days
US$ 59 100 GB unlimited 30 days

019 offers unlimited landline calls to the following countries: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela.

019 also added mobile calls to the next countries: Canada, India, United States.

More info[]

Golan Telecom (sold to Cellcom)[]

Golan telecom

Golan Telecom shook up the Israeli mobile market when it launched in 2012 and started a price war in the country. The company started offering its own prepaid plans under the brand GolanTalk from June 2018. In 2020 Golan Telecom was sold to rival Cellcom. So it can be expected that Golan Telecom will be merged to the Cellcom network soon.

Availability[]

As a new prepaid operator, it may be harder to find GolanTalk SIM cards in many cellphone shops compared to more established brands. A list of shops is available at their website (currently in Hebrew only)

Data and Talk packages[]

Price

Data

Calls

SMS Validity
₪39 10 GB - - 30 days
₪45 9 GB 2000 mins 1000 30 days
₪49 40 GB 2000 mins 1000 30 days
₪69 75 GB 2000 mins 1000 30 days

There is no international roaming on these plans.

More info[]

012 Mobile (to be integrated back into Partner)[]

012 mobile

012 Mobile is operated by Partner as a cheaper sub-brand. It's an MVNO that offers a mobile prepaid plan under the name '012Talk' from July 2018. As a sub-brand it uses the same infrastructure as Partner.

*By March 2024, 012 Mobile is going to be slowly re-integrated into its parent company, Partner and discontinued as a separate brand. Postpaid customers will be grandfathered in with their current plans and rates.*


Availability[]

As a new prepaid operator, it may be harder to find 012talk SIM cards in many cellphone shops compared to other more established brands.

Data and Talk packages[]

These packages are offered:

Price Data Calls SMS Validity Extras
₪45 10 GB 3000 mins 3000 30 days
₪50 50 GB 3000 mins 3000 30 days Unlimited App's**
₪65 150 GB 3000 mins 3000 30 days 5G + Unlimited App's**
₪75 75 GB 3000 mins 3000 30 days Unlimited App's**

** Unlimited App's = Facebook, Waze, WhatsApp and Instagram.

More info[]

Rami Levy Mobile[]

RAMILEVI-tikshoret

Rami Levy Comms new logo

Rami Levy is a supermarket chain that entered the MVNO market and has added a prepaid SIM option for Rami Levy Mobile. Rami Levy Mobile uses Pelephone's network in 3G and 4G/LTE (no 5G yet), and Pelephone no longer offers any 2G fallback. You need to have a 3G or 4G device on the Pelephone frequencies (see Basics above).

Rami levy 675

Rami Levy Supermarket logo

Their SIM cards can be found in Rami Levy supermarkets where they also sell their postpaid SIM cards.

Data and Talk packages[]

All of their packages are valid for 30 days:

Price

Data

Calls & Texts
₪25 1 GB unlimited
₪28 3 GB unlimited
₪30 5 GB unlimited
₪40 15 GB unlimited
₪50 25 GB unlimited
₪60 40 GB unlimited
₪80 50 GB unlimited

More info[]

Israeli SIM resellers[]

If you need to order the SIM card before your visit to Israel, you can use 3rd party dealers who sell them online with worldwide delivery. Please note that it's usually much more expensive than buying it in Israel (due to the shipping fee, processing fee and a substantial dealer surcharge), but if you need it - it can be a solution. eBay is a good platform to look for a SIM card too. Check price and delivery, compare with the offers given here for Israel and if it's worth the surcharge.

Additionally, there is still a problem in recharging Israel SIM cards online. There is no official way to load some credits from outside Israel as neither credit card payment nor PayPal are accepted. This makes it very hard to keep a SIM card alive from out of the country. Some vendors offer top-ups for a surcharge.

Nes Mobile[]

Nes Mobile offers Israel SIM cards and Pocket Wifi services to tourists and students visiting Israel. Nes Mobile offers unlimited plans and competitive rates using Cellcom’s LTE network. Free deliveries available across the USA and Israel.

Website: https://nesmobile.com/

SIMPATIC[]

Simpatic.net is an Israeli SIM service provider that offers worldwide delivery, permanent sim cards, 24/7 customer service (North America and Israel) with some pick-up points in USA and Canada. They offer 2 plans:

  • LOCAL PLAN: "unlimited" calls, SMS and data in Israel. Price starts at $ 2.97 per day with a flat fee instead when order for 18+ days.
  • INTERNATIONAL: same as the LOCAL plan but with calls to USA and Canada included. Prices start at $ 4.97 per day with a flat fee instead when order for 18+ days.

Hidden in their T&Cs that are only displayed when you make an order, is a FUP of 10 GB before they throttle to 3G speeds. Please note that this is a 3rd party dealer and therefore quite more expensive than local options.

PCWorks[]

PCWorks based in Tel-Aviv is a reseller of Israeli SIM cards. Through their website they offer SIM cards and top-ups of major providers. Please note that this is a 3rd party dealer with worldwide delivery and therefore quite more expensive than local options.

Prepaid Israel SIM[]

Prepaid Israel SIM sells SIM cards of all Israel operators with free worldwide delivery and also some pick-up points in USA. Please note that this is not an official service, but a 3rd party dealer and is more expensive than local options.

SIM to Israel[]

Sim to Israel, formerly known as "Snapir," is a mail order SIM card service for Israel travel. SIM cards can also be picked up at Tel Aviv airport. Different packages are offered and include delivery to your home abroad if time allows or to your hotel if not. Also included is a free virtual US number to allow family and friends to call. Tethering is also included. Please note that this is not an official provider, but a 3rd party dealer that is more expensive than local options. Their actual network operator is Cellcom.

SIMCARD.co.il[]

Simcard.co.il is a reseller of Israeli SIM cards. Through their website they offer Israeli SIM cards and recharges from all major providers. Please note that this is a 3rd party dealer with worldwide delivery and is a little more expensive than local options.


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