Customized Applications for Mobile networks Enhanced Logic

Customized Applications for Mobile networks Enhanced Logic, or CAMEL (ETSI TS 123 078) for short, is a set of standards designed to work on either a GSM core network or UMTS network. They allow an operator to define services over and above standard GSM services/UMTS services. The CAMEL architecture is based on the Intelligent Network (IN) standards, and uses the CAP protocol.

Many services can be created using CAMEL, and it is particularly effective in allowing these services to be offered when a subscriber is roaming, like for instance no-prefix dialling (the number the user dials is the same no matter the country where the call is placed) or seamless MMS message access from abroad.

CAMEL has been specified in 4 phases. Phases 1 and 2 support adding IN services to a GSM network. CAMEL phase 1 provides basic call control capabilities such as call forwarding and basic VPN. CAMEL phase 2 provides more advanced capabilities (both call control and non-call control related) such as on-line charging (call-control) and USSD control (non-call control). Phases 3 and 4 support adding services to a UMTS network. All 4 phases can be used in either a GSM or a UMTS network.

History

• 1997 Phase 1
• 1998 Phase 2
• 1999 Phase 3
• 2002 Phase 4

References to standards

• 3GPP TS 09.78 (Phase 2) [1]
• 3GPP TS 29.078 (Phase 3, 4) [2]

Trace capture example

CAP-InitialDP [3]

See also

• Open Services Architecture
• IP Multimedia Subsystem

Links

• Linkbit Online CAMEL Protocol Decoder