OPERATING AND GEOGRAPHICAL SEGMENTS 2 (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Geographic sources of revenue and locations of long-lived assets
Net revenue	$ 1,432,110		$ 1,803,053		$ 1,644,060
Long-lived assets	240,629		274,507
Exclusions from long-lived assets
Fair value of investment	3,753		5,330
Goodwill	104,430		67,662
Intangible assets, net	27,257		20,594
Non-current deferred tax assets(3)	102,315	[1]	121,417	[1]
Auction-rate securities
Exclusions from long-lived assets
Fair value of investment	1,066		2,251
United States
Geographic sources of revenue and locations of long-lived assets
Net revenue	189,699		249,887		260,091
Long-lived assets	85,044		81,777
Philippines
Geographic sources of revenue and locations of long-lived assets
Long-lived assets	61,594		71,332
Germany
Geographic sources of revenue and locations of long-lived assets
Net revenue	175,930		237,777		207,305
Long-lived assets	17,602		20,681
FRANCE
Geographic sources of revenue and locations of long-lived assets
Net revenue	28,343		31,231		55,107
Long-lived assets	28,000		30,277
Japan
Geographic sources of revenue and locations of long-lived assets
Net revenue	51,141		57,376		46,671
China, including Hong Kong
Geographic sources of revenue and locations of long-lived assets
Net revenue	451,642		531,561		489,480
Singapore
Geographic sources of revenue and locations of long-lived assets
Net revenue	41,637		42,982		42,819
South Korea
Geographic sources of revenue and locations of long-lived assets
Net revenue	178,547		223,967		143,213
Taiwan
Geographic sources of revenue and locations of long-lived assets
Net revenue	67,806		135,650		115,559
Asia-Pacific
Geographic sources of revenue and locations of long-lived assets
Long-lived assets	38,842		59,906
Rest of Asia-Pacific
Geographic sources of revenue and locations of long-lived assets
Net revenue	72,128		71,048		70,958
Rest of Europe
Geographic sources of revenue and locations of long-lived assets
Net revenue	149,104		193,558		177,274
Long-lived assets	9,547		10,534
Rest of the World
Geographic sources of revenue and locations of long-lived assets
Net revenue	$ 26,133		$ 28,016		$ 35,583

[1] Included within Other assets on the consolidated balance sheets and long-term tax attributes.