An optical packet switching device (20) comprises an input section (9) able to receive an optical signal comprising data packets (60) carried by wavelength channels, a transit section (30) comprising optical paths (31) to ensure the transparent transit of the respective wavelength channels, several selector elements (34) which can be switched in packet mode to selectively block or allow an individual data packet to pass through, and a control unit able to receive signalling information about the data packets received in the input section and to control a selector element corresponding to the wavelength channel to block or allow said data packets to pass, said control unit maintaining the selector element (34) in a blocking state during the time windows in which no data packets are received on said wavelength channel.