OTA update (over-the-air update)

1. An over-the-air update is the wireless delivery of new software or data to mobile phones and tablets.

Wireless carriers have traditionally used over-the-air updates to deploy firmware and configure phones for use on their networks. The initialization of a newly purchased phone, for example, requires an over-the-air update. With the rise of smartphones and tablets, carriers and manufacturers have also turned to over-the-air updates for deploying new operating systems to these devices. 

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Starting with iOS 5.0.1, Apple said it would make all iOS updates available over the air. Previous iOS updates required iTunes and a physical connection between the iOS device and a computer. 

2. Over The Air (OTA)  is a standard for the transmission and reception of application-related information in a wireless communications system