Equity Attributable to Comverse Technology, Inc and Noncontrolling Interest (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
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, value at beginning of period			$ 552,752	$ 485,887
Net (loss) income	8,684	(31,889)	(36,920)	(89,007)
Other comprehensive income	(7,359)	(7,983)	2,120	(324)
Stock-based compensation expense			5,463	5,016
Exercise of stock options			24	0
Impact from equity transactions of subsidiaries and other			14,846	20,578
Repurchase of common stock			(1,630)	(1,425)
Balance, value at end of period	536,655	420,725	536,655	420,725
Comverse Technology, Inc
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, value at beginning of period			441,508	413,008
Net (loss) income			(53,484)	(98,892)
Other comprehensive income			6,904	(2,982)
Stock-based compensation expense			5,463	5,016
Exercise of stock options			24	0
Impact from equity transactions of subsidiaries and other			9,775	14,366
Repurchase of common stock			(1,630)	(1,425)
Balance, value at end of period	408,560	329,091	408,560	329,091
Noncontrolling Interest
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, value at beginning of period			111,244	72,879
Net (loss) income			16,564	9,885
Other comprehensive income			(4,784)	2,658
Stock-based compensation expense			0	0
Exercise of stock options			0	0
Impact from equity transactions of subsidiaries and other			5,071	6,212
Repurchase of common stock			0	0
Balance, value at end of period	$ 128,095	$ 91,634	$ 128,095	$ 91,634