Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Revenue:
Product revenue	$ 203,587	$ 176,933	$ 511,524	$ 525,464
Service revenue	249,491	248,527	677,418	667,126
Total revenue	453,078	425,460	1,188,942	1,192,590
Costs and expenses:
Product costs	85,326	60,397	207,024	201,034
Service costs	130,670	110,807	358,241	334,632
Selling, general and administrative	142,466	163,444	431,435	525,824
Research and development, net	55,768	63,060	161,706	193,264
Other operating expenses (income):
Litigation settlements	4,880	(17,350)	4,880	(17,500)
Restructuring charges	1,838	21,800	14,888	28,776
Total costs and expenses	420,948	402,158	1,178,174	1,266,030
Income (loss) from operations	32,130	23,302	10,768	(73,440)
Interest income	826	833	3,493	2,835
Interest expense	(8,192)	(9,020)	(25,325)	(21,241)
Loss on extinguishment of debt			(8,136)
Other (expense) income, net	(4,144)	1,563	8,253	7,178
Income (loss) before income tax benefit (provision)	20,620	16,678	(10,947)	(84,668)
Income tax benefit (provision)	21,647	(47,237)	(35,793)	(49,463)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	42,267	(30,559)	(46,740)	(134,131)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax		(947)		(4,000)
Net income (loss)	42,267	(31,506)	(46,740)	(138,131)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(6,577)	(10,197)	(16,462)	(9,620)
Net income (loss) attributable to Comverse Technology, Inc.	35,690	(41,703)	(63,202)	(147,751)
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	205,886,126	205,264,632	205,890,586	205,134,765
Diluted	206,729,005	205,264,632	205,890,586	205,134,765
Basic earnings (loss) per share
Continuing operations	$ 0.17	$ (0.20)	$ (0.31)	$ (0.71)
Discontinued operations		$ 0.00		$ (0.01)
Basic earnings (loss) per share	$ 0.17	$ (0.20)	$ (0.31)	$ (0.72)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share
Continuing operations	$ 0.17	$ (0.21)	$ (0.31)	$ (0.71)
Discontinued operations		$ 0.00		$ (0.01)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$ 0.17	$ (0.21)	$ (0.31)	$ (0.72)
Net income (loss) attributable to Comverse Technology, Inc.
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	35,690	(40,929)	(63,202)	(144,753)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax		(774)		(2,998)
Net income (loss) attributable to Comverse Technology, Inc.	$ 35,690	$ (41,703)	$ (63,202)	$ (147,751)