an optical selector for an asynchronous transfer mode optical network , the said selector being capable of selecting atm cells of bits having a frequency of arrival f less than or equal to a predetermined frequency , the said optical selector comprising : an input having a first device capable of blocking the entry of bits ; an output having a second device capable of permitting the outflow of bits ; an atm cell recognition unit constructed in such a way that it recognizes the headers of atm cells and connected to the said input and to the said output for the transit of bits from the said input to the said output ; and an optical decision unit connected operationally to the said first device , to the said second device and the said atm cell recognition unit .