Israel GPRS rates
 

I just made a few phone calls to find out rates in Israel and thought I'd share:

Cellcom Talkman Prepaid:
150 shekels a month internet unlimited
100mb 40 shekels
200mb 70 shekels

1.2 a min to talk
0.68 shekels to sms

---
Orange Big Talk Prepaid
100MB 27 shekels
5GB 99 shekels
20GB 149 shekels

1.2 a min to orange
1.27 a min to others

0.68 shekels to sms


I think Orange sounds like the better deal since it's hard to go over 5GB so 99 shekels is better than 150 shekels for Cellcom's unlimited.

This is information I got from calling Cellcom / Orange.

For some unknown reason Pelephone do not publish their data rates on the web. Their prepaid voice rates are the best in the country - NIS 0.49 per minute and NIS 0.50 per SMS to all networks, with a monthly fee of NIS 9.9. It is worth asking at a Pelephone sales point, as their HSPA is the fastest data network in the country.

The market is expected to change soon with the introduction of several MVNO's in the coming months, followed by two new MNO's during 2012.

The first MVNO to go on air will belong to the Rami Levi supermarket chain, expected to start selling SIM cards on December 5. Rumors are that a prepaid SIM card will cost NIS 40, air time about NIS 0.20-0.25 /min to all networks and data NIS 50 for 5 GB. The MVNO will use Pelephone's HSPA 850/2100 network (with no GSM service).

I intend to update as new operators will go on air.

For further information see my previous post and use a translation service.

what about keeping your number ?
With orange, if you don't use you sim for a year you still keep your number, and there's no monthly fees, what happen if your balance don't have enough ?

Also, can we move from bigtalk to pelephone prepaid whithout changing the phone # ?

Israeli regulations permit a line to be be disconnected after 12 months of no use.
Personally I have only postpaid contracts (with all 3 GSM carriers) but a relative has a prepaid line that was charged with NIS 100 more than 10 years ago and is used no more than once or twice a year - the remaining credit was valid as of about 3 months ago.
As for Rami-Levy's new MVNO - as far as I understand the monthly fee will be deduced only if the balance is positive, and there will be no retroactive charges if the balance will be 0 even for several months.
As far as I know numbers can by ported to MVNO's.

Hey guys!

I'm happy to find this post. I'm going to Israel soon an I have a Cellcom Talkman prepaid. How is it possible to activate Internet (for facebook and twitter) for 1 month?

Do you recommend another Provider?

Thank you.
Best wishes,
steinik

The Israely cellular market has undergone deep changes since this thread was updated more than a year ago. Several MVNO's and two MNO's started operating, introducing very cheap packages. Unfortunately for visitors from abroad, except one MVNO (Rami Levi) all new plans are postpaid and require an Israeli credit card. The three "old" companies (Pelephone, Cellcom and Orange, did not change their (high) prepaid rates. I suggest that you run a search in this forum, I posted several updates.

If you need a prepaid SIM buy a Rami-Levy card - the card will cost NIS 39, there is a monthly fee on NIS 4.90 as long as your balance is positive. Voice calls are NIS 0.39/min (1/1 second debit), SMS 0.29, data NIS 0.39/MB. a 5 GB data package costs NIS 69 and a 10 GB NIS 99, valid for 1 month.

The problem with Rami Levy is that the SIM cards and top ups can be purchased only at the chain's supermarkets, mostly in suburban shopping areas and a handful other networks such as the Ivory computer stores.

If you can buy a postpaid SIM (with the help of an Israeli friend, an Israeli credit card is required) I suggest that you get a HOT-mobile or Golan Telecom SIM - a NIS 99/month plan will provide you with unlimited calls inside Israel an to landlines in about 30 countries including Germany, and 3GB of data. Golan will be easier to deactivate when you leave, using an excellent web site (although they will call you to confirm), while disconnecting from HOT can be done only through their awful customer service. 012mobile, Orange's cheap brand, has a similar plan but with only 1 GB, and the Orange data network appears to be the slowest data network in the country.

As to handsets - all Israeli 3G networks are based the European 2100 band. However, the Pelephone and Cellcom networks, an as result also HOT, Golan and Rami-Levy, use also the 850 MHz band, so a hanset supporting both bands is rcommended althuogh a 2100 set may be sufficient in the populated areas.

I might be back this December and looking into options. Have used Cellcom and Orange in the past, I know that one of these, at least, has been disconnected due to more than 12 months without use (and I could not get it to register in the US to make a call or text, to keep it active).

And I had trouble getting either of the Israeli sims activated for data.

Piranha simcard has good rates for calls, and they told me it would cost $8 to get an Israeli number added for a month (on top of basic US and UK numbers). Data is off the charts expensive, so I'd use wifi and my mifi with abroadband sim.

An Israeli SIM card costs nowadays around NIS 40-50 (USD 10-12).
There is a good chance that your Orange and Cellcom lines can not be registered in the US because the roaming option is blocked (which is the default by Israeli regulations), and will be active once you get back here.
In any case, if you need mobile data in Israel the best option - if a local friend can help you - is a postpaid Golan or HOT line. If a prepaid line is needed Rami-Levy will be the cheapest.

looks like you can order an Orange sim direct from the post office in Israel,
SIM Big Talk card - Israel Post Shop

about $10, with around $7.50 of credit on it, and another $2.50 to ship worldwide, not bad at all.

I figure you have to add a data package once there.

1. The Orange Big Talk Voce rates are extremely expensive (ILS 1.20 inside the network, ILS 1.23-1.28 to other networks. Rami-Levy is far cheaper one third of that.
2. If you come for a short stay you can buy "Unlimited" Orange Big-Talk topups for local (inside Israel) calls and texts - ILS 20 for 2 days, ILS 70 for a week, ILS 130 for two weeks and ILS 199 for 30 days. A 20 GB data topup will cost ILS 149 and is valid for 30 days.
3. Orange Big Talk is for more convenient then Rami-Levi as topup cards are available in most shopping centers and post offices, and adding credit can be done also online or by customer service if you have access ti an Israeli credit card. The same is true for Pelephone and Cellcom.
4. The cheapest plan is HOT's postpaid plan. Unfortunately, except Rami-Levy, no new carrier, either MNO or MVNO, offers prepaid plans.

I'll be getting 2x orange Israel sim cards for December, a question or two: (probably for Sperial, who seems to know the most!)
- I've seen rates mentioned back to the US and UK of around 7c, do you need to add an international plan for this?
- to get the weekly unlimited calls+text plan or a data plan, can you do that from any Orange shop or street kiosk? do you top up first then pay for a plan out of that?
Last time, I tried to register and manage it online, but struggled without a Hebrew keyboard, and the website was only in Hebrew and Russian, if I recall...

thanks!

You will have to top up at an Orange booth or a post office, as topping by phone or the internet requires an Israeli credit card.
The BigTalk IVR can be changed to English by calling *111. To change the voice mail language call *159.
The7c/min international calls are similar to callback. for the USA call *313 , when the system answers dial the US number (including the international prefix and than #. The rate is NIS 0.29/min and includes the air time.

thanks, very useful info!

Thanks for *159 i didn't know it.

Also, to add packages (like data) call *4555

You can found great infos here also :
Israel - Pay as you go sim with data Wiki

sperial : highly suggest orange bigtalk for travelers,
rami levy is cheaper for voice but bigtalk is much more convenient :

You find sim and topup everywhere, no monthly charge (useful when you come only once a year), complete offer (data...), and best of all, an english IVR and customer service.

Also, like said on the above site, if you use bonus card topup it can be much cheaper.


PS : my sister is in Israel now, and she took a sim only after 2 days.
meanwhile she used her french vodafone sim, she didn't had data (10€/mb... desactivated), and she called at 2,5€/min.
That's, for 10min, 25€, or 125 NIS (and she called more in 2 days, not including incoming calls at 1,5€/min).

Usually when i come i take a 150 NIS bonus topup for a month, that's give me 5GB data, a lot to orange network, plus ~100min to others (less in fact, because of sms) and i call overseas with VoIP.

Ok, with hot/golan it's 30% cheaper for more, but with contract, and rami levy is not convenient.
But anyway, when you travel your are used to pay more than locals ;)

The situation can be different in europe, when you can stay just 2-3 days for a weekend (sometimes less) in a country.
Most people are going in Israel at least for a week.

My 2 cents.
Again, thanks for your tips about israeli market, you know much more than even techies.
Don't hesitate to ask if you need my expertise about the french market ;)

I agree that Orange BigTalk is more convenient then Rami-Levy, as they have outlets in city centers, as opposed to Rami-Levy's supermarkets in the outskirts.

The strange thing about Orange is that international rates per minute are about one third than for local calls.

I am not sure that the NIS 150 "bonus" card includes any data, as it is not stated in the Orange site. However, is includes NIS 100 for international calls.

This week another MVNO, Home-Cellular, started selling prepaid SIM cards, I will open a new thread later today,

Prepaid offer by Home Cellular
 

Home Cellular, an MVNO run by the Home-Center DIY chain and running on Cellcom's 2G and 3G network, started offering a prepaid plan. The SIM card costs NIS 39, Local calls are around NIS 0.39 (but vary according to top-up type) SMS are NIS 0.39 ans data NIS 0.50/MB.
SIM cards can be purchased at the Home Center DIY stores or through the internes. Balance can be boughtat the same stores or gy phone (see page 5 for English)

saw these on ebay, and was thinking of buying a couple for mid-December trip.

Israel mobile carrier ORANGE New Sim Card 3G Without Contract CHARGED WITH 10$ | eBay

They don't say Big Talk like the ones you can order from the Post Office, but I presume this is just the plan name, and once there, I can add a data and call plan? Anything else to be wary of?

thanks!

All Orange prepaid plans are called "BigTalk" and the *111 us the BigTalk customer service,

It cost more here but it's always good to have an alternative : http://www.israelpost.co.il/mall.nsf...ndocument&L=EN

A new player recently joined the Israeli Prepaid scene: Home Cellular, an MVNO marketed by the Home Center hardware stores.
A prepaid SIM card (called Home Cellular Card) costs NIS 29 (about EUR 6.00). The basic rate is NIS 0.39/min, and the cedit is valid for 12 months. Text messages are charged NIS 0.39 (EUR 0.08 ) and data surfing NIS 0.50 (EUR 0.10)/MB.
Customer service can be reached by dialling *111, and the language can be selected ( Hebrew, English, Arabic or Russian).
The MVNO uses Cellcom's GSM 1800 and HSPA 2100 networks, and it's number format is (0)55-22xxxxx
This leaves one MVNO, YouPhone without a prepaid plan. Such a plan is posted as "coming soon" on their web site (called YouTalk).

The really good news for visitors is that tho two new mobile carriers - Golan Telecom and Hot Mobile, added very cheap international calling rates from every Israely phone. Golan is the cheapest to most countries at NIS 0.08 (EUR 0.016)/min to landlines in most european countrieas and to all numbers in Continental USA and Canada, and calls to most West European mobile numbers are NIS 0.49 (EUR 0.20)/min. Access is by dialling the international access code 016 followed by the country code. The corresponding rates fot Hot are NIS 0.15 (EUR 0.03) and NIS 0.50 (EUR 0.10)/min, and the access code is 017. Note that these rate include air time, so calls to the USA, Canada and most European landlines are actually cheaper than calls inside Israel.

I was just in Israel 10 days, and the Orange sim worked perfectly,
I used the 130NIS bonus pack (about $33) = 500 sheqel in Israel (about 400 mins) + 80 sheqel to call local or abroad + 500MB bundle
There are cheaper packs if you don't need as much.
I found a sim on ebay, and the vendor added the bonus pack just before I got there, very convenient! (not sure if OK to mention him here)

A few quick questions.

Is the Orange shop at the airport reasonably user friendly (reasonably quick service and helpful staff) ? My first stop will be the King David in Jerusalem - is there a shop nearby if I can't sort things out at the airport ?

Does Orange allow access to all VOIP services (inc Skype) ? Some mobile operators seems to block such services.

Finally, is tethering allowed (or whether allowed or not, does it actually work) ? Could I use the SIM in a dongle if required ?

There is no Orange (or any other cellular carrier) shop at the airport - all were closed several years ago. Orange prepaid SIM cards and top ups can be purchased at any post office and in most shopping centers.
I am unaware of any restriction on the use of data or tethering - Israeli regulations require Net Neutrality. I use tethering on a pospaid Orange line with no problem at all.

and you can buy the sim cards on ebay, and some sellers will top up for you, put various packages on, etc.

Piranha mobile has recently dropped prices for Israel, 15c (USD) to make local calls (but it's callback system), 8c to receive, good rates for international, and either 23c or 30c/MB for data. Even cheaper VOIP option.
They will add an Israeli number to your phone for a monthly charge, so you have to remember to cancel. But you'll also have incoming UK and US numbers working.
beats any other global sim.
Orange is still better if you want lots of data.

hMobile (HomeCellular), an MVNO riding on Cellcom's network (GSM 1800, 3G2100/850) offers a prepid SIM with wide range of top up possibilities. SIM cards can be purchased at all Home Center DIY shops (most in "power centers" at the outskirts of cities, but some in shopping malls).
The prepaid SIM costs ILS 29 (about EUR 6.2 or USD 8 ).
Scarth cards with values of ILS 35, 50 or 100 (plus ILS 5 recharge fee) give 77, 115 or 244 minutes to any Israeli land or mobile network, for ILS 0.39 (EUR 0.083, USD 0.11). The top up is valid for 12 months.
Top ups using an automated call center have unlimited validity. Top ups are ILS 35, 60, 100, 150, 200, 300 (without additional fees) for 90,154,256, 385, 517, 770 minutes or SMS.
A third type of recharge are "Bonus" cards: ILS 10 fot 20 min/SMS, valid for 2 days, ILS 40 for 90min/SMS valid for 14 days, ILS 70 for 180 min/SMS valis 30 days and ILS 105 for 350min/SMS valis for 30 days.
Data is ILS 0.50 (EUR 0.11, USD 0.14) /MB.
The call Center/IVR can be reached by dialling *111 from an hMobile line or 055-2233111 from any network. As in all Israeli networks, the sevice is given in Hebrew, English, Arabic or Russian.
Terms uf use are shown here (scroll down for English, Russian and Arabic versions).
HomeCellular numbers use the form 055-22XXXXX

Another MVNO recently joined te prepaid market, with a plan called "pretalk": Youphone. SIM cards can be purchased at the MEGA and am:pm supermarkets and Alon gas stations. SIM cards cost NIS 39 (EUR 8.14), including ILS 30 (EUR 6.23) charge. Top ups are ILS 30 valid for 30 days or ILS 50 valid for 1 year, witj ILS 0.25 (EUR 0.05) per minute, SMS or 1MB data. A third tp up possibility is ILS 99 (EUR 20) for 1000 min, 1000 SMS and 500MB, valid for 30 days.

However, it appears that the best deal is Golan Telecom hybrid prepeid-postpaid service: It is rumored that the company started acceping nn-Israeli credit cards, wwich make it convenient for travellers. For ILS 99 (EUR 20.66) charged at the beginning of each charge cycle (hence "prepaid") you get unlimited minutes in Israel and to landlines in 55 foreign countries, unlimited SMS in Israel and 3MB data. Roaming is also cheap, and the contract may be cancelled at any time using the control panel on the internet site and answering a confirmation call.
Golan SIM cards cost ILS 39 (EUR 8.14) and may be purchased at the Bug computer stores, present in most shopping malls and centers.

Hi Sperial!
After a long time I wrote the pages about hMobile and Youphone here on PrepaidGSM
Israel

Just a some little questions:
- Youphone: which networks uses?
- hMobile: how much credit is included in the starting kit?

Our pages about the 3 network operators are incredibly old: can you please write here an update? THanks a lot!

YouPhone uses the Orange (partner) network.
AFAIK hMobile's starter kit includes no credit.
Just to update on Rami-Levy - prepaid data packagas can be purchased and cost NIS 55 (EUR 11.64)/5MB or NIS 75(EUS 15.88)/10mb)
Anyway, the best offer for tourists is Golan's "hybrid" prepaid/postpaid plan, as they accept non Israeli credit cards. An "unlimited" plan which includes unlimited minutes to landlines in 55 countries and 3GB data obviates the need to keep track of use or pay the hotel very high charges for connectivity. Just remember to disconnect the line when you leave the country (or change the plan to the NIS 9.99/month if you wish to keep the number). For a limited - but undisclosed - time the first two months of the "unlimited" plan is free of charge, as this new (1 year old) company tries to enlarge it's customer basis.
The prepaid offers by the "big three" (Orange, Cellcom and Pelephone) are changing very slowly as the Israeli market is moving toward the "unlimited" postpaid packages which cost ILS 60-120 (EUR 13-26) per month, with some plans including international calling. However, they do offer a more diverse selection of charge options.

I already wrote the Golan offer on PPGSM too.

So the basic offers by the "big 3" are still the same?
Or should I update those pages:
PrePaidGSM: Orange (Israel)
PrePaidGSM: Cellcom (Israel)
PrePaidGSM: Pelephone (Israel)

That's right. I will try to update later.

sperial :

Can we order a sim card, get 2 month free, then cancel suscription ? There is no minimum commitment with this offer ?

If so, how to cancel the line ? By phone, internet, letter ? Is there a minimum wait for that (eg, 30 or 10 days in advance) ?

That would be a very good offer for tourists :)
Even without this promotion.
Especially with their new "international number" service
https://www.golantelecom.co.il/web/news1.php

However, the drawback is the delivery and activation process (like almost all postpaid offers).

With Orange you can get a sim at more locations, including post office, even with aboard delivery SIM Big Talk card - Israel Post Shop

Usually i take a big bonus card Range of Orange BigTalk Prepaid Phone Cards
Then a package with the credit Orange Bigtalk - data packages

It's 30-50% coster than Golan but it's more flexible and i keep the sim/number over time.
Also, data speed seems a bit faster, am i right ?

Oh, BTW, do you know if we can take a data package from the credit "usage in Israel" or "usage in Israel & international" or both ? I don't remember :(

You are right - you may get the two months free promotion, at least with an Israeli credit card, I am not sure about the promotion when using a foreign one, although no restriction is posted on the site. As SIM cards can be purchased at most "Bug" computer stores, which means most major shopping malls and centers, and activated on the spot this should not be an obstacle.

Israeli regulations for cellular services are very consumer friendly - no contract commitment of any sort is allowed, nubbers ported within 30 min. from activation, phones should be SIM free (and old, SIM locked should be unlocked on customer's demand), surfing is net neutral, which means no restriction on VoIP calls etc.

Theoretically Orange's maximum surfing speed is 42 Mbps, compared with Golan's 21 Mbps. As I do not use netsticks, and the phones used by my family are restrivted to theoretical 7.2 Mbps I never bothered to check the actual speeds.

Data packages are for local use only. Roaming packages are offered to postpaid subscribers, but are very expensive.

Piranha is now very reasonable for Israel, outgoing calls 0.15c, incoming 0.08, data 0.30c/MB on Celcom, 0.15c on Pelephone.
wondering if can get a virtual local 972 number for people to dial via Keku or equivalent that would forward to the UK or US numbers on Piranha sims

We can do that yes:-D Please contact admin for more information.

PSIM

keeping orange sim active
 

I've got two Israeli orange sims, I want to keep active for when I next go, one has a small balance, one zero.
Will an incoming text do the trick? it seems to be free, even in the US.

Has anyone tried this site, which offers topup service?
Orange Top-up

but they seem to charge about $7 extra per topup (and Orange takes another 7 NIS from each topup).

thanks

I ended up using this site to top up: Visiting Israel? | Mobilezone
Service charge only about $3.

A new player has joined the Israeli prepaid ground - international calls carrier 019.

I've got two Israeli orange sims, I want to keep active for when I next go, been nearly a year since last transaction. They don't seem to register on US network, though they were meant to be able to.
Will sending a text to the numbers do the trick? or do I have to top up?
thanks

Ill be in Israel in two weeks, and I was wondering if anything has changed. Is Orange still the best SIM for a visitor who wants cheap international calls, cheap data, and an account that's easy to keep active?