Consumers rushing to beat the 2015 deadline for migrating from the analogue to digital mode of framework television could be buying the wrong transmission boxes from traders who are selling unapproved digital video broadcasting terrestrials (DVB-T).

Information and communication Permanent Secretary Dr. Bitange Ndemo cautioned that purchasing incompatible sets of boxes will result in extra financial burden when the nation platform is deployed using Moving Picture Expert Group (MPEG) 4 .

Addressing a press conference at his office Thursday, Ndemo said the government and the digital transmission committee have identified anomalies in the migration exercise saying there is need for traders to follow the guidelines on the specifications for the digital television converter boxes.

He urged consumers to consult and buy compatible digital television converter boxes that are approved for the region under the MPEG 4.

"Retailers and dealers in set boxes and other television accessories are also advised to have such boxes that have the required sets of standards" he said.

Kenya and other African countries share the DTI technology with Europe and Middle East.

"We have to adhere to digital terrestrial television (DIT) standards for the county," he said.

Ndemo said the wrong sets of gadgets being sold in the market will not be compatible with the DIT that was launched early this week and called on consumers to insist on warranty when buying them so that they can have them replaced if they fail to work.

The PS said that the digital roll out programme will commence next month and the first signal will be sent to areas around Nairobi, Naivasha, Machakos ,Kajiado and Muranga.

He said local assembly for the technological equipment will begin soon, with the Nairobi University and Jomo Kenyatta University Technology taking the lead in the assembling.

DVBT project manager Gichingi Kanyi said that they are consideration to write to Kenya Bureau of Standard (KEBS) to put the quality standards on the set boxes to ensure compatible.

Meanwhile Nokia is warning that the levels of mobile phone counterfeiting have reached alarming levels.

According to Nokia general manager for East and Southern Africa Gerard Brandjes the handset manufacturer is to start a joint training with the Kenya Revenue Authority to nab those engaging in the vice which involves the iPhone.

And it's not just Nokia that is getting replicated popular models by LG, Samsung and even Blackberries can also be found in the Kenyan market looking like the real thing.

Brandjes says most of these counterfeited brands originate from China.

"The phones which are so detailed and exact are nearly impossible to discern the original from the replica unless you have a closer look," he says.

Bradjes say despite the amendments of the companies and monopolies act, a lot should be done to deter dealers of the black market replicas.

According to the international anti counterfeiting coalition the counterfeit business is estimated to be over 600 billion dollars with the Chinese black market phone industry being the global force.