Spectroscopic properties and energy transfer (ET) in (\mathrm{Ga}{2} \mathrm{O}{3}-\mathrm{GeO}{2}-\mathrm{Bi}{2} \mathrm{O}{3}-\mathrm{Na}{2} \mathrm{O}) (GGBN, glass doped with (\mathrm{Er}^{3+}) and rare earths (\left(\mathrm{RE}^{3+} ; \mathrm{RE}^{3+}=\mathrm{Ce}^{3+}, \mathrm{Tb}^{3+}\right)) have been investigated. Intense (1.53-\mu \mathrm{m}) emission with the peak emission cross-section achieved to (7.58 \times 10^{-21} \mathrm{~cm}^{2}) from (\mathrm{Er}^{3+})-doped GGBN glass has been obtained upon excitation at (980 \mathrm{~nm}). Effects of (\mathrm{RE}^{3+}\left(\mathrm{RE}^{3+}=\mathrm{Ce}^{3+}, \mathrm{Tb}^{3+}\right)) codoping on the optical properties of (\mathrm{Er}^{3+})-doped GGBN glass have been investigated and the possible ET mechanisms involved have also been discussed. Significant enhancement of the (1.53 \mu \mathrm{m}) emission intensity and decrease of upconversion (UC) fluorescence with increasing (\mathrm{Ce}^{3+}) concentration have been observed. The incorporation of (\mathrm{Tb}^{3+}) into (\mathrm{Er}^{3+})-doped GGBN glass could significantly decrease the UC emission intensity, but meanwhile decrease the (1.53 \mu \mathrm{m}) emission intensity due to the ET from (\mathrm{Er}^{3+}: \mathrm{I}{13 / 2} \mathrm{I}{1} \mathrm{~Tb}^{3+}:{ }^{7} \mathrm{~F}_{2}). The results indicate that the incorporation of (\mathrm{Ce}^{3+}) into (\mathrm{Er}^{3+})-doped GGBN glass can effectively improve (1.53-\mu \mathrm{m}) and lower UC luminescence, which makes GGBN glass more attractive for use in C-band optical fiber amplifiers.