CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND SHORT AND LONG TERM INVESTMENTS (Summary of Condensed Financial Information) (Details) (UiTV Media Inc. or UiTV [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
UiTV Media Inc. or UiTV [Member]
Operating data:
Revenue	$ 7,460	$ 1,984	$ 165
Gross profit	(116)	(3,164)	(1,835)
Loss from operations	(12,087)	(16,354)	(13,210)
Net loss	(15,469)	(18,170)	(13,460)
Net loss attributable to UTStarcom Holdings Corp.	(13,744)	(15,942)	(12,797)
Balance sheet data:
Current assets	6,582	8,712	4,849
Long-term assets	10,062	37,538	30,151
Current liabilities	(48,759)	(1,384)	(5,325)
Long-term liabilities	(1,240)	(56,047)	(23,371)
Non-controlling interests	$ 4,570	$ 2,822	$ 584

The amount of current assets reported by an equity method investment of the entity.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 235

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(g))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33912-111571

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 825

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (f)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957238&loc=d3e14064-108612

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph bb

-Article 1

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 08

-Paragraph g

-Subparagraph 1, 2

-Article 4

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph w

-Article 1

+ Details

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

- Definition

The amount of current liabilities reported by an equity method investment of the entity.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

The amount of gross profit (loss) reported by an equity method investment of the entity.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationGrossProfitLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of income (loss) from continuing operations before extraordinary items reported by an equity method investment of the entity.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph bb

-Article 1

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 08

-Paragraph g

-Subparagraph 1, 2

-Article 4

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph w

-Article 1

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33908-111571

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationIncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeExtraordinaryItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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

- Definition

Amount of equity attributable to noncontrolling interests of an equity method investment of the entity.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

The amount of net income (loss) reported by an equity method investment of the entity.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationNetIncomeLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of noncurrent assets reported by an equity method investment of the entity.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

The amount of noncurrent liabilities reported by an equity method investment of the entity.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

The amount of revenue from sale of goods and services reduced by sales returns, allowances, and discounts reported by an equity method investment of the entity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationRevenue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	utsi_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationBalanceSheetAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	utsi_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest reported by an equity method investment of the entity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	utsi_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationNetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
Namespace Prefix:	utsi_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration