Abstract: A communications packet network comprises an optical core network of core routers interconnected by links and a plurality of edge routers providing access to the core network. The network is partitioned into a plurality of regions, each region being provided with a respective network information database. Within each region, link occupancy data is determined via the core routers and stored in the respective network information database. An edge router wishing to despatch packets into the core network acquires the link occupancy data from the network information databases in those network regions through which packets are to be routed so as to schedule despatch of those packets into the core network at a rate commensurate with resource availability within the core network. Preferably, the link occupancy data is classified into quality of service classes.