Having revised my plan again, I think I'll have the Billion in the loft providing wireless to any device that requires it on the 1st floor. I'll then buy a TP-LINK TL-WA901N, install it in the middle of the ground floor space somewhere to provide the coverage I require there. I have briefly looked at higher gain antennas too but, I need to investigate how my proposed solution works before I consider them.

Paul

Gotcha. I did state that it would be on modem duty in my first post though. These devices have a decent following over on Kitz as they provide a not inconsiderable sync rate gains (downlink) over the HG612 modems that OR supply. The other reason why I bought one!
I agree though, it would be practically useless as a wireless providing device due to the lack of coverage the low gain internal antennas would provide.

Paul

Having used high gain antennas I can tell you generally they aren't worth the money. Mainly because it's a two way street, the wifi needs to reach your device and your device needs to be able to talk back.

Your laptop doesn't have a crazy high gain antenna built in too.

Like I say multiple access points is the best way forward and really the only way to ensure good coverage in a large area.

I actually have a summer access point that I move to cover the garden during the summer months. Turn it off for the winter period to reduce wireless network congestion,