Probably for the same reason we buy these: http://www.amazon.com/USRobotics-USR5686G-Serial-Controller-Faxmodem/dp/B003U9ZH7Y/ http://www.amazon.com/USRobotics

Probably for the same reason we buy these: http://www.amazon.com/USRobotics-USR5686G-Serial-Controller-Faxmodem/dp/B003U9ZH7Y/ http://www.amazon.com/USRobotics-USR5686G-Serial-Controller-... They basically get a (minimal) job done. (Though, unlike the WRT54GL, the USR Robotics modems are pretty reliable). What I don't understand, is why nobody ever built a somewhat robust version of the WRT54GL? Just build a robust device with a Skyworks 802.11a,b,g,n,ac FEM and maybe four GigE ports. Something plain, vanilla, that you can stick on your desk for 10 years. I bet they'd sell millions of them.