Abstract: A facsimile apparatus which carries out ringing of a telephone first for calling, and transmits a voice message informing of "absence" and "facsimile receivable" to a calling station when offhook is not detected during a predetermined period. The facsimile apparatus also transmits a called station identification signal CED after a silence interval of about 5 seconds. When the calling station onhooks a handset during the period of ringing of the telephone by judging that the called station is absent, a fee for a telephone call will not be charged. Furthermore, by setting the silence interval, the CED signal after the voice message is prevented from being heard by the calling station.