COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/LOSS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/LOSS
Net income (loss)	$ (35,579)	$ 11,777	$ (65,290)
Other Comprehensive income (loss)
Foreign currency translation	(3,272)	13,470	(1,425)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(38,851)	25,247	(66,715)
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,194)	(1,610)	(161)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to UTStarcom Holding Corp.	(37,657)	26,857	(66,554)
Changes in noncontrolling interests
Balance at beginning of year	6,401	8,011	792
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,194)	(1,610)	(161)
Noncontrolling interests arising from an acquisition			7,380
Noncontrolling interests reducing from deconsolidation	4,393
Balance at end of year	$ 814	$ 6,401	$ 8,011

The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to the reporting entity. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, but excludes any and all transactions which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

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Total of all stockholders' equity (deficit) items, net of receivables from officers, directors, owners, and affiliates of the entity which is directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent (that is, noncontrolling interest, previously referred to as minority interest).

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Net of tax and reclassification adjustments of the change in the balance sheet adjustment that results from the process of translating subsidiary financial statements and foreign equity investments into the reporting currency of the reporting entity. Also includes the following: gain (loss) on foreign currency forward exchange contracts; foreign currency transactions designated as hedges of net investment in a foreign entity and intercompany foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term nature, when the entities to the transaction are consolidated, combined, or accounted for by the equity method in the reporting enterprise's financial statements; and gain (loss) on a derivative instrument or nonderivative financial instrument that may give rise to a foreign currency transaction gain (loss) that has been designated and qualified as a hedging instrument for hedging of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation.

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The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

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