Definition

Over the Air (OTA)

Over The Air (OTA) (or Over-The-Air) is a standard for the transmission and reception of application-related information in a wireless communications system. The standard is supported by Nokia, SmartTrust, and others.

OTA is commonly used in conjunction with the Short Messaging Service (SMS), which allows the transfer of small text files even while using a mobile phone for more conventional purposes. In addition to short messages and small graphics, such files can contain instructions for subscription activation, banking transactions, ringtones, and Wireless Access Protocol (WAP) settings. OTA messages can be encrypted to ensure user privacy and data security.

Contributor(s): Ragnar Westad
This was last updated in May 2007
Posted by: Margaret Rouse

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