Ubuntu is not free.

[use_real_email_ulist at ohiggins.ubuntu.com]

Hello,
The drivers for the Intel wifi cards are under
GPL. Those are ieee802.11 and ipw2X00 and they are already compiled
against the kernel. 

The only thing missing to run theses cards is firmwares. 
The modules expect to find them in /lib/firmwares. 

It only has to be present to indicate the drivers that are in the
kernel, if the card can or cannot be activated : present, the card is
activated, and if not present there, the card can't be activated.

That's why a simple install of a package containing it is enough to
make it run. Thus, the non free firmwares have nothing to do in a
kernel package  :)
All the best and more, Melodie.


-- 
Melodie