AFAIK the Atheros drivers are open which is why this project is using Atheros hardware. The problem is solved as long as you are willing to buy specific hardware.
It does appear that 90% of the effort in the router firmware community goes to dealing with blobs and diverse hardware support; whether that effort is wasted is a matter of opinion.
It does appear that 90% of the effort in the router firmware community goes to dealing with blobs and diverse hardware support; whether that effort is wasted is a matter of opinion.