Israel has a number of cell providers, especially when you consider so-called “virtual networks”, such as those branded by some supermarkets. Before 2012, there were three major cell phone operators in Israel: Cellcom, Orange, and Pelephone. During the summer of 2012, two additional providers sprung up, offering plans at an often significantly lower cost than the three major providers; these companies are Golan Telecom and HOT Mobile.
Below is an overview of cell phone providers. Feel free to look through them, to familiarize yourself with specific cell providers’ offerings, or skip to a specific provider. You can also view a list of cell phone plans by plan type, on the Cell Plans page.
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012 Mobile
012 Mobile is a virtual network which offers a handful of unlimited plans with varying features and varying levels of international calling. As a virtual network, they serve their users via Orange’s cellular infrastructure, so where there is Orange coverage, 012 Mobile subscribers should have coverage as well.
Cellcom
Cellcom is one of Israel’s veteran telecommunications companies. As of late, they seem to offer only unlimited plans, with price points varying by amount of data and other features. It is also possible to purchase a device (phone, modem, laptop with cellular internet) through them, so that the charges for these devices all arrive on a single monthly bill.
Golan Telecom
Golan Telecom entered the Israeli cellular provider market in 2012, offering low-cost plans. They offer both metered and unlimited plans, some with international callings but otherwise limited features, and do not offer devices for sale. They utilize a roaming agreement with Cellcom, which allows their users to roam free of charge on Cellcom’s mobile network as they build their own, independent, cellular network.
HOT Mobile
HOT Mobile re-entered the Israeli cellular market in 2012, after a rebranding from their old Mirs name, offering low-cost plans. They offer both metered and unlimited plans, some with international calling but otherwise limited features, and currently offer select cellular phones for purchase, for a monthly fee. A cellular device must be 3G-compatible to work on this network. They utilize a roaming agreement with Pelephone, which allows their users to roam free of charge on Pelephone’s mobile network, as they build their own, independent, cellular network.
Orange
Orange is the youngest of the veteran telecommunications companies, having launched in 1999. They offer both a metered and several unlimited plans, with varying data allocations. It is also possible to purchase a device (phone, modem, laptop with cellular internet) through them, so that the charges for these devices all arrive on a single monthly bill.
Pelephone
Pelephone is another of Israel’s veteran telecommunications companies. Like most others, they offer both metered and unlimited plans, with the prices determined by various data allotments and other features. It is also possible to purchase a device (phone, modem, laptop with cellular internet) through them, so that the charges for these devices all arrive on a single monthly bill. A cellular device must be 3G-compatible to work on this network.
Rami Levy
Rami Levy is a virtual network which offers a basic and an unlimited plan. As a virtual network, they serve their users via Pelephone’s cellular infrastructure, so where there is Pelephone coverage, Rami Levy subscribers should have coverage as well. A cellular device must be 3G-compatible to work on this network.
YouPhone
YouPhone is a virtual network which offers plans for light, medium, and heavy users. They also offer select cellular phones for purchase. As a virtual network, they serve their users via Orange’s cellular infrastructure, so where there is Orange coverage, YouPhone subscribers should have coverage as well.