The comparative investigation of the luminescence properties of Er3+ in low phonon energy tellurite glasses codoped with Ce3+, Eu3+, and Tb3+, respectively, are presented. The energy transfer mechanism between Er (3+) and the codopant is discussed based on their energy level characteristics. Though Ce3+ is less effective than Eu3+ and Tb3+ on the decrease of the lifetime of I-4(11/2) level, it hardly influences the lifetime value Of I-4(13/2) level. Both the I-4(11/2) and I-4(13/2) levels are depleted severely at the same time with the introduction of Eu3+ and/or Tb3+ ions. The influence of the codopants on the 1.5 mum fluorescence characteristic of Er (3+) is also compared. The Er3+/Ce3+-codoped tellurite glasses will be preferable for obtaining efficient 980 nm pumped broadband EDFA. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.