I know many of commissioners prefer open platform, not closed platform like several US VRS companies and so do most of members on several VRS committees including myself.
I would not be surprised that it will be equipped with software only since the announcement mentioned smartphone and tablet.
The VRS who is going to provide the service, is being paid with a block of federal funding, not payment based on minutes.
Obviously CRTC has been well aware of the frauds and schemes in US VRS industry. I was at the hearing and several of the commissioners on panel mentioned the frauds and schemes over again and again. They did homework.