They really probably aren't going to get lifetime updates to their modem's closed-source firmware. They can't even get timely updates to their modem's closed-source firmware.

It's great that the OS is open source, it really is. But all bits going out over the cellular radio are handled by proprietary firmware, same as every other phone out there.

Educate me: Is there a way to know when the modem's firmware needs updating? When was the last update shipped?