Intel is considering releasing a closed-source driver to support Linux on Centrino: Linux can run without using the Wi-Fi module; this driver would provide access. Intel doesn't want to offer a total open-source approach to this system as they don't want to give away their secrets. Perhaps it includes software-defined radio.
Atheros got around this through an intermediary in the BSD world who created a hardware abstraction layer to protect Atheros's SDR while allowing open-source drivers to access the proprietary abstraction layer.