Refundable consideration, usually cash, held by the entity pending satisfactory completion of the entity's obligations or pending the closing of a contract.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.15a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CustomerAdvancesAndDeposits
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The carrying amount of deferred costs.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DeferredCostsCurrentAndNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of deferred revenue as of balance sheet date. Deferred revenue represents collections of cash or other assets related to a revenue producing activity for which revenue has not yet been recognized. Generally, an entity records deferred revenue when it receives consideration from a customer before achieving certain criteria that must be met for revenue to be recognized in conformity with GAAP.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 13

-Section A

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 605

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 13.A.4(a).Q1 Response)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012821&loc=d3e214044-122780

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DeferredRevenue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The carrying amount of deferred contract costs.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	utsi_DeferredContractCosts
Namespace Prefix:	utsi_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the amount of assets and deferred cost related to un-assigned contracts.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	utsi_RevenueRecognitionAssetsAndDeferredCostRelatedToUnassignedContracts
Namespace Prefix:	utsi_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the amount of liability and deferred cost related to un-assigned contracts.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	utsi_RevenueRecognitionLiabilityAndDeferredCostRelatedToUnassignedContracts
Namespace Prefix:	utsi_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis=utsi_IPTVOperationsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

DIVESTITURES (Schedule of liabilities and assets related to un-assigned contracts) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2012
Divestitures [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	$ 11.7us-gaap_DeferredRevenue	$ 10.2us-gaap_DeferredRevenue	$ 9.8us-gaap_DeferredRevenue
Prepaid contract service costs to buyer	5.7	5.3	6.1
IPTV operations [Member]
Divestitures [Line Items]
Deferred revenue			5.1	10.0
Customer advances				37.3
Total liabilities associated with the unassigned IPTV contracts	21.5			47.3
Deferred contract costs				24.6
Prepaid contract service costs to buyer				22.7
Total assets associated with the un-assigned IPTV contracts				$ 47.3