PURPOSE: To prevent useless consumption of recording paper by setting the mode to a facsimile mode only when a DTMF signal pattern stored in advance is received so as to make picture reception or transmission.

CONSTITUTION: With a switch 8 closed, facsimile communication is implemented only when a DTMF signal stored in a storage section 4 in advance is received. Moreover, with the switch 8 turned off, the mode is set to the facsimile mode when a facsimile signal is detected similarly in a conventional equipment and the mode is set to the automatic answering telephone set mode when no facsimile signal is detected till the reply message is finished. Since a right of selection as to whether communication is implemented or not is provided, useless consumption of recording paper is avoided.