In a multicarrier communication using a balanced transmission line such as a power line, a multicarrier communication method operable to select carriers on the basis of an SN-ratio and balancing of the transmission line is provided. Available carriers are selected in accordance with the balancing of the balanced transmission line, in which the balancing is measured at either a sending terminal or a receiving terminal or alternatively at both of them, and the SN-ratio measured between the sending terminal and the receiving terminal. More specifically, any frequency domain having poor balancing and a poor SN-ratio is treated as a non-carrier-employing domain, and consequently the available carriers are selected at other frequency domains. In addition, a modulation method having the greatest permissible multivalue is selected for each of the carriers. The carriers are selected in light of the SN-ratio and balancing, or alternatively in highest-to-lowest order of frequency. Transmission power is controlled for each of the carriers to suppress radiated emission. The SN-ratio and balancing are measured at predetermined time intervals to renew the selection of the carriers and the selection of the modulation methods.