A communication apparatus includes two or more receiving units differing in characteristics. The apparatus further includes a data detecting unit detecting data to be received, in an input signal, and a selecting unit that selects one out of the two or more receiving units, depending upon detected result and characteristics of receiving units. In case data to be received is not contained in the input signal, the selecting unit selects a receiving unit whose power consumption during a period of time of not receiving the data is smaller than that of the other receiving unit(s) during a period of time of not receiving the data. In case the data to be received is contained in the input signal, the selecting unit selects a receiving unit from which a most satisfactory receiving quality is expected depending upon propagation environments of the input signal.