Equity Attributable to Comverse Technology, Inc and Noncontrolling Interest (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2012	Apr. 30, 2011
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, value at beginning of period	$ 552,752	$ 485,887
Comprehensive loss:
Net loss	(45,604)	(57,118)
Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, net of reclassification adjustment and tax	3,760	96
Unrealized gains and losses for cash flow hedge positions, net of reclassification adjustments and tax	(19)	3,163
Foreign currency translation adjustment	5,738	4,400
Total comprehensive loss	(36,125)	(49,459)
Stock-based compensation expense	2,312	3,394
Exercise of stock options	18	0
Impact from equity transactions of subsidiaries and other	5,481	11,468
Repurchase of common stock	(1,206)	(1,425)
Balance, value at end of period	523,232	449,865
Comverse Technology, Inc [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, value at beginning of period	441,508	413,008
Comprehensive loss:
Net loss	(53,210)	(59,195)
Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, net of reclassification adjustment and tax	3,760	96
Unrealized gains and losses for cash flow hedge positions, net of reclassification adjustments and tax	(89)	2,196
Foreign currency translation adjustment	2,843	(353)
Total comprehensive loss	(46,696)	(57,256)
Stock-based compensation expense	2,312	3,394
Exercise of stock options	18	0
Impact from equity transactions of subsidiaries and other	1,565	8,436
Repurchase of common stock	(1,206)	(1,425)
Balance, value at end of period	397,501	366,157
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, value at beginning of period	111,244	72,879
Comprehensive loss:
Net loss	7,606	2,077
Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, net of reclassification adjustment and tax	0	0
Unrealized gains and losses for cash flow hedge positions, net of reclassification adjustments and tax	70	967
Foreign currency translation adjustment	2,895	4,753
Total comprehensive loss	10,571	7,797
Stock-based compensation expense	0	0
Exercise of stock options	0	0
Impact from equity transactions of subsidiaries and other	3,916	3,032
Repurchase of common stock	0	0
Balance, value at end of period	$ 125,731	$ 83,708