In this work, we report the optical properties of Tm(3+) ions in tellurite glasses (TeO(2)-TiO(2)-Nb(2)O(5)) for different Tm(3+) concentrations ranging between 0.05 and 1 wt%. Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters have been determined to calculate the radiative transition probabilities and radiative lifetimes of excited states. The stimulated emission cross-sections of the infrared emissions at 1487 nm and 1800 nm have been determined from the line shape of the emission spectra and the lifetimes of levels (3)H(4) and (3)F(4) respectively. The emission spectra obtained under 793 nm excitation reveal the existence of energy transfer via cross-relaxation among Tm(3+) ions. As a result, the intensity of the infrared (3)H(4)?(3)F(4) emission at 1487 nm decreases in relation to the one at 1800 nm, as concentration increases. The non-exponential character of the decays from the (3)H(4) level with increasing concentration indicates the presence of a dipole-dipole quenching process assisted by energy migration. The self-quenching of the (3)F(4)?(3)H(6) emission at 1800 nm can be attributed to limited diffusion within the active centers.