Discontinued Operations (Schedule of Results of Operations Included in Discontinued Operations) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	$ 2,477	$ 2,437	$ 2,959	$ 3,731
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax, Attributable to Comverse Technology, Inc.	1,621	1,504	1,949	2,324
Starhome Disposition
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Total revenue	13,072	11,571	23,907	21,671
Income before income tax provision	2,714	2,814	3,182	4,269
Income tax provision	(237)	(377)	(223)	(538)
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	2,477	2,437	2,959	3,731
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax, Attributable to Comverse Technology, Inc.	1,621	1,504	1,949	2,324
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax, Attributable to noncontrolling interest	$ 856	$ 933	$ 1,010	$ 1,407