Earnings (Loss) Per Share Attributable To Comverse Technology, Inc.'s Shareholders (Schedule Of Calculation Of Earnings (Loss) Per Share) (Details) (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
Earnings (Loss) Per Share [Line Items]
Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Comverse Technology, Inc. - basic	$ 35,690	$ (40,929)	$ (63,202)	$ (144,753)
Adjustment for subsidiary stock options	(38)	(2,027)	(88)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Comverse Technology, Inc. - diluted	35,652	(42,956)	(63,290)	(144,753)
Net loss from discontinued operations, attributable to Comverse Technology, Inc. - basic and diluted		$ (774)		$ (2,998)
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	205,886,126	205,264,632	205,890,586	205,134,765
Convertible debt obligations	117,000
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	206,729,005	205,264,632	205,890,586	205,134,765
Earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to Comverse Technology, Inc., Basic	$ 0.17	$ (0.20)	$ (0.31)	$ (0.71)
Loss per share from discontinued operations attributable to Comverse Technology, Inc., Basic		$ 0.00		$ (0.01)
Basic earnings (loss) per share	$ 0.17	$ (0.20)	$ (0.31)	$ (0.72)
Earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to Comverse Technology, Inc., Diluted	$ 0.17	$ (0.21)	$ (0.31)	$ (0.71)
Loss per share from discontinued operations attributable to Comverse Technology, Inc., Diluted		$ 0.00		$ (0.01)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$ 0.17	$ (0.21)	$ (0.31)	$ (0.72)
Contingently issuable shares excluded from computation of diluted earnings per share	900,000	500,000		700,000
Stock Options [Member]
Earnings (Loss) Per Share [Line Items]
Incremental common shares attributable to share-based payment arrangements	404,000
Restricted Awards [Member]
Earnings (Loss) Per Share [Line Items]
Incremental common shares attributable to share-based payment arrangements	322,000