I have AT&T Max Turbo Internet, AT&T U-verse Voice and a five line AT&T Mobile Share cell phone plan. I no longer have the U-verse 450 TV service but AT&T allowed me to keep the 3801HGV. I am getting italkbb, which is for Chinese HDTV channels and a VOIP phone, so in effect I will be using two different VOIP phone systems.
I simply want to determine if it is better to use the 3801 as my only modem/router connecting my existing AT&T home services AND my italkbb Chinese HDTV/Voip phone service or if I should use a second router, placed after my 3801, to handle the italkbb services alone, which would allow the 3801 to handle the AT&T services, although I realize that everything will ultimately go through the 3801. My concern is twofold; to ensure the best HDTV reception for the italkbb Chinese TV channels and to not overload the 3801HGV to the point where it degrades or interferes with my AT&T Voice service and my Max Turbo Internet speed. You'll have to excuse my ignorance. I know nothing about AT&T's bandwidth, packets or anything else associated with ISP services.
I have researched the italkbb services more thoroughly than before and I believe the only equipment I will receive from italkbb will be a Linksys SPA1001 IP box to connect to either my 3801 or a standalone router placed after the 3801. I have been informed by italkbb that the italkbb services will work only with the configured SPA1001 IP box they provide so I can't use something like the Cisco SPA3102 Voice Gateway with Router or the OBi202 VoIP Phone Adapter with Router 2-Phone Ports T.38 Fax but then again, I've seen so many different italkbb instructions and pictures of different italkbb boxes that I can't say for sure. I have asked for clarification but have not received a response as of yet.
I'm going to run an Ethernet cable from my 3801 (or the second router) through my crawl space to the HDTV in my living room, appx. forty feet away, or run the Ethernet cable from the 3801 through my crawl space to the second router placed next to the TV, so that I don't have to deal with a wireless signal. If placing the second router next to the TV will not gain me any benefits I will place it near the 3801. If using the second router will not provide me with a better HDTV signal or lessen the load or interference on my 3801 I won't use a second, standalone router at all. I'll simply use the 3801 for everything. I'm going to use a Cat6a Snagless Shielded (SSTP/SFTP) Ethernet cable from the 3801 to my living room. I know it's overkill and I'll be dead and gone long before it benefits me in any manner but I spent some time researching the matter and that's what I've decided to use.
If using a second, standalone router will be to my or AT&T's advantage I will do so. Do you have any recommendations for a good, reliable non-wireless router? Cost is not a problem. If there is no advantage then I will continue using only the 3801 I already have.
Thank you in advance for your time and any assistance provided.
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