An introduction to GSM enhancements for operator specific services (CAMEL)

The Special Mobile Group (SMG) of the European Telecommunication Standards Institute (ETSI) is currently developing new additions to GSM standards called CAMEL. CAMEL is an acronym for `customised application for mobile networks enhanced logic´, a rather obscure description for a very important concept. PLMN operators who implement the CAMEL feature will have the capability to provide operator specific services (OSS) that are new and unique. The CAMEL feature compliments and adds to the `standard´ GSM supplementary services that all GSM PLMN operators may implement. Operator specific services can be extended to serve customers roaming to any other GSM PLMN that supports the CAMEL feature. This paper provides an introduction to current CAMEL standards work in ETSI SMG in support of operator specific services. Techniques to support operator specific services for roaming customers are described. The CAMEL feature is expected to become important to mobile network operators as GSM networks mature