CAMEL (Customised Applications for Mobile networks Enhanced Logic)

Also known as: Customised Applications for Mobile networks Enhanced Logic

CAMEL is the 3GPP Intelligent Network framework (TS 22.078, 23.078) that lets an operator implement custom real-time service logic in an SCP for prepaid charging, roaming steering, VPN dialling and number translation. CAMEL uses the CAP protocol over SS7 TCAP; the CAP dialogues between the visited MSC/SGSN and the home SCP are also a documented vector for roaming fraud and subscriber tracking.

Categories: SignalingRoaming and InterconnectProtocols and Standards

CAMEL in context

Signaling protocols carry the control-plane messages that set up calls, register subscribers and route SMS. SS7, Diameter, GTP-C and SIP are the four dominant families, and interconnect exposure of any of them is treated by GSMA as top-tier telecom risk.

Roaming and interconnect are where two operators exchange signaling and user-plane traffic. Trust boundaries here are the primary attack surface for location tracking, SMS interception and fraud, which is why GSMA now mandates SEPP with PRINS on 5G interconnect.

To place CAMEL in the wider telecom-security picture, review ENUM, HLR, IBCF, Roaming, Roaming Interconnect Security and SS7: each entry cross-references back to this page so you can walk the topic in either direction.

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