Cell Phone Rentals / Options

Israeli "research center" help develop the cell phone and its technology.
Cell phones are extremely popular in Israel. Everyone seems to have one.

Many volunteers may want to have the convenience of having a cell phone during their stay in Israel.

Before deciding on which option is right for you - consider how you expect to use the phone:

  • Expect to call the US often?
  • Expect incoming calls from the US?
  • Will be making many calls to israeli friends?
  • Just want to have it in case of an emergency?

Here are some options for you to consider -

  • Do without a cell phone
    • Although a popular option - you can survive without it. All you need to communicate with home is:
      • a Bezeq telecard (to get dial tone on Israeli pay phone - available on and off the bases). Available in many stores in Israel,
      • a Pre-paid Calling Card from the US. You want a card from large carriers that will allow you to call from israel back to the US.
        • Check to see what is available at Costco, Sam's Club, etc.
  • If you have a GSM quad- or tri-band cell phone in the US - check with your cell phone provider - you might be able to use your cell phone in Israel
    • Your cell phone provider will know if you can use your phone in israel - so give them a call
    • They may need to unlock the SIM card
    • You will need to purchase a Pre-paid SIM card for use in Israel
      • Check the web for Israeli SIM card providers - in case you want to have this prior to departure
      • Or you can purchase the israeli SIM card while in Israel
  • Rent a Cell Phone - before you go or after your arrival in Israel
    • Before you go - Check the web, using your favorite Search Engine (Goggle, Yahoo, MSN, etc.) for "Cell Phone Rental in israel" - and you will see many vendors who want your business
      • do some comparison shopping - look at the options - consider how you expect to use the phone
    • After your arrival in israel
      • There will be cell phone rental kiosk at the Airport
      • Contact some of the Israeli companies to have the cell phone rentals:

Amigo Phones
www.amigo-us.com/vfi

1-888-264-4687
contactus@amigo-us.com

IsraelPhones
1-866-8ISRAEL
info@israelphones.com
http://www.israelphones.com/
08-918-1131 (in Israel)

There maybe additional vendors at Ben-Gurion airport - things change all the time.

You can use a search engine like Google to find additional cell phone providers in Israel.