Examples communication methods and communications apparatus are described. In one example method, a base station sends a first synchronization signal block, where the first synchronization signal (SS) block includes a primary SS, a secondary SS, and information carried on a physical broadcast channel (PBCH). In addition, the base station sends a second SS block, where the second SS block includes a primary SS or includes a primary SS and a secondary SS, and does not include information carried on the PBCH. The first SS block is used by a terminal to access the base station. The second SS block is used to perform time and frequency synchronization after the terminal accesses the base station.