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