Cell Phone Service in Tel Aviv
Few people can imagine going through the day without using their trusty mobile phones. And can you blame them? Without mobile phones, there’s no way to make calls, coordinate plans with friends, or access essential information on the go like directions.
The importance of mobile phones only increases when navigating the unfamiliar surroundings of a foreign city or country.
So, whether you’re moving to Israel or traveling to the “City That Never Sleeps,” you’ll want a strong cell signal in your accommodation. Read this guide carefully, and stellar cell phone reception in Tel Aviv is precisely what you’ll get.
Which Carriers Have the Best Cell Phone Reception in Tel Aviv?
There’s no shortage of cell phone carriers in Tel Aviv and Israel in general. However, not all of them excel at providing you reliable cell phone reception in Tel Aviv. Check out the ones that do.
Partner Mobile
Partner Mobile, formerly known as Orange, is relatively new in the Israeli cell phone carrier game. Still, it has managed to garner immense popularity, especially with 4G users. This shouldn’t be surprising once you learn that Partner Mobile won an award for 4G coverage experience in 2022, achieving an impressive 9.8 points on a 10-point scale.
When it comes to Tel Aviv, this operator maintains a near-spotless 4G+ coverage, so you shouldn’t have any issues with your cell phone reception in Tel Aviv.
Cellcom
Few discussions about cell phone service in Tel Aviv can go without mentioning Cellcom, the country’s largest mobile network. Cellcom is known for its vast scope of mobile coverage, both in terms of area and available generations of wireless data communication (from 2G to 5G). With Cellcom, you’ll get a mobile signal in virtually any neighborhood in Tel Aviv.
HOT Mobile
HOT Mobile offers excellent cell phone reception in Tel Aviv, allowing you to use your phone for everything from making calls to streaming videos. However, the signal isn’t equally strong in every neighborhood in Tel Aviv. So, if you want to use HOT Mobile while staying in Tel Aviv, choose your neighborhood wisely.
Pelephone
Pelephone is a top-rated Israeli telecom company, and for a good reason. The company offers numerous ways to keep up with our hyper-connected world, with great cell phone service in Tel Aviv being one of them. 5G users will love Pelephone as this operator offers the most comprehensive 5G coverage in Tel Aviv.
019 Mobile
While not as popular as other major telecom companies in Israel, 019 Mobile is often recommended to people traveling to Tel Aviv due to its excellent coverage, stores open 24/7, and great customer service. Taking out a SIM card before you land in Tel Aviv is the best course of action. With 019 Mobile, you can grab your card immediately at Ben Gurion airport.
But keep in mind that this company specializes in customers visiting Israel, so it won’t be the best solution for those moving to Tel Aviv.
TCS Telecom
TCS Telecom has been servicing Anglos in Israel for over 20 years and has made a name for itself in the Israeli telecommunications landscape as the only company for great customer service. Avid mobile users will be happy to find several excellent mobile plans offering unlimited local calls and a wide range of 4G services. With TCS Telecom, bid farewell to dropped calls, unsent messages, and super-slow internet in Tel Aviv.
Which Neighborhoods in Tel Aviv Have the Best Cell Phone Service?
Generally speaking, Israel doesn’t cover a large area. The same goes for Tel Aviv. Throw the government’s commitment to stellar telecommunications into the mix, and it’s easy to assume cell phone service is fantastic in every part of the city.
Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. There are some cellular “dead zones,” especially in areas with sparse populations. In Tel Aviv, the more you move away from the center of the city toward the northern neighborhoods, the more disruptions you can expect. Northern areas like Nofei Yam, Neve Dan, and Neve Avivim are among those experiencing issues with cell phone network coverage.
But what about the neighborhoods with the best cell phone service in Tel Aviv? We’ve got you covered (no pun intended!) there as well.
The Old North
Although it features the word “North” in the name, this neighborhood couldn’t be further from the above-mentioned Northern areas with spotty cell phone service. This large and trendy neighborhood is actually located in the city’s center, where issues with cell phone coverage are virtually unheard of.
Partner Mobile has the best 4G coverage in this neighborhood, while Pelephone leads the way in the 5G department.
Lev Hair
Located at the very heart of Tel Aviv, Lev Hair is jam-packed with things to do, see, and experience. And do you know what will help you enjoy these things to the fullest? A spotless cell phone service, of course!
Lev Hair is mostly covered by Pelephone’s 4G and 5G networks.
Florentin
Many consider Florentin the center of Tel Aviv’s art and culture, especially if you’re fond of the alternative scene. The numerous bohemian cafés blasting live jazz music will probably sweep you away, making you forget all about technology. But if you happen to remember, you’ll be able to enjoy excellent cell phone service with your craft beer.
Pelephone offers the best coverage in Florentin, primarily for 4G+ network users. However, 4G and 5G users will also have excellent coverage in specific areas of the neighborhood.
Neve Tsedek
Neve Tsedek is one of the most attractive neighborhoods in Tel Aviv. The narrow alleys and bright colors of this picturesque gem will transport you to European cities like Paris. And a rock-solid mobile network will transport you anywhere else in the world from this harmonious neighborhood.
You’ll find excellent coverage by multiple operators in Neve Tsedek. Pelephone offers the best variety, with 3G, 4G, 4G+ network coverage and specs of 5G.
Is There 5G in Tel Aviv?
Yes, there is 5G in Tel Aviv. In fact, there is 5G in the entirety of Israel as of 2020.
Of course, like in most cities, not all areas can boast perfect 5G coverage. So, which areas in Tel Aviv have it?
In Tel Aviv, you’ll find the best 5G coverage in the city’s center and along the city’s coastline. Although multiple operators offer 5G connectivity in Tel Aviv, Pelephone usually has the widest range. While not as uniform as the company’s 4G coverage, you can find at least some 5G coverage in almost all neighborhoods in Tel Aviv.
How Do I Know if My Tel Aviv Apartment Will Have Good Reception?
Solid cell phone service might not be your No. 1 priority when looking for an apartment in Tel Aviv, but it should be toward the top of the list.
If you want to be 100% certain that your Tel Aviv apartment has good reception at all times, only consider neighborhoods in the city’s center. Of course, these apartments aren’t exactly the most affordable, so going south or west might be a good alternative.
To avoid any guesswork, it might be best to contact your desired cell phone carrier directly and inquire about its coverage in the area you’re interested in.
If you’re already in Tel Aviv and experiencing poor cell phone service, you might wonder, “What can I do about bad reception in my apartment?”
Well, there are two main ways to go. You can get an amplifier that will boost your GSM, 3G, 4G LTE, or 5G signal. Or, you can simply switch carriers and give finding great cell phone reception in Tel Aviv another go.
In the meantime, you can rely on one of over 80 free Wi-Fi hotspots in the city to take care of urgent business. Of course, only use public Wi-Fi if your mobile device is protected by a virtual private network (VPN) to minimize safety and privacy risks.
Stay Connected Anywhere in Tel Aviv
Fortunately, people looking to move to the city will have no trouble finding a provider with excellent cell phone service in Tel Aviv. For Anglos moving to Israel, the choice is even simpler. After all, TCS Telecom is the only company that offers terrific mobile coverage and 100% English-speaking customer service.
The same company can help you set up internet and other telecommunications services, making it only a matter of time before you master all the challenges of living in Tel Aviv.