In a facsimile communication method, when a home facsimile machine makes the transition to simplified protocol phase B because of sensing polarity inversion, CED reception from an associated machine, etc., it stores 9600 bps as the initial value of control signal communication speed and sends a communication speed notification signal of the frequency corresponding to the stored communication speed to the associated machine, then sends an NSS thereto at the stored communication speed. When receiving the communication speed notification signal, the associated machine previously senses execution of the simplified protocol and the communication speed of the subsequently received NSS from the notification signal and receives the NSS at the sensed communication speed, then sends a communication speed notification signal of the frequency corresponding to the sensed communication speed and subsequently sends an NSF at the communication speed. When receiving the communication speed notification signal, the home machine also previously senses the NSF communication speed from the notification signal and receives the NSF at the sensed communication speed, then makes the transition to phase C.