Last week, I wrote an article about how free Wi-Fi sites in Vancouver help level the playing field between rich and poor residents.

Coincidentally, the Downtown Eastside Street Market has announced that it's connected more than 4,200 people per month to its free service.

More than 700 people per day are using it.

“Most low-income residents can’t afford data plans for their phones and other devices,” street market coordinator Ronald Clarke said in a news release. “Free WiFi opens up a world of connections including to social and banking services, libraries, videos, and, of course, email.”

The program was launched in 2014 with the help of street market volunteers and local hot-spot devices in local residents' windows.

The network is being used by nearly 25 percent of Downtown Eastside residents.

The street market moved earlier this year from Pigeon Park to a city-owned site at 501-533 Powell Street.