A plug connector module (200, 300) comprising: a metal frame having a base portion, an insertion end and a cavity that extends from the base portion into the insertion end, the insertion end being configured to be inserted into a cavity of a corresponding receptacle connector and having width, height and length dimensions along with first and second opposing exterior surfaces (105a, 105b) extending in the width and length dimensions, the first exterior surface including a first opening and the second exterior surface including a second opening directly opposite the first opening; a substrate that extends through the base portion of the frame and into the insertion end, the substrate having a plurality of contact bonding pads at one end positioned within the frame, a plurality of conductor bonding pads at the opposing end and at least one ground pad contact between the contact bonding pads and conductor bonding pads;a first plurality of external contacts (106..106) positioned within the first opening and bonded to some of the plurality of contact bonding pads on the substrate; a second plurality of contacts (106..106) positioned within the second opening and bonded to some of the plurality of contact bonding pads on the substrate; and one or more electronic components (108a, 108b) coupled to the substrate, a first encapsulant that covers and environmentally seals the one or more electronic components (108a, 108b); a metal shield (210,310) coupled to the base portion of the metal frame and encasing a portion of the substrate and the one or more electronic components (108a, 108b), the metal shield having a leg (220A, 220B) that is substantially perpendicular to the substrate and coupled to the substrate at the ground pad; and a second encapsulant that covers and environmentally seals the ground pad and at least a portion of the leg (220A, 220B). a metal frame having a base portion, an insertion end and a cavity that extends from the base portion into the insertion end, the insertion end being configured to be inserted into a cavity of a corresponding receptacle connector and having width, height and length dimensions along with first and second opposing exterior surfaces (105a, 105b) extending in the width and length dimensions, the first exterior surface including a first opening and the second exterior surface including a second opening directly opposite the first opening; a substrate that extends through the base portion of the frame and into the insertion end, the substrate having a plurality of contact bonding pads at one end positioned within the frame, a plurality of conductor bonding pads at the opposing end and at least one ground pad contact between the contact bonding pads and conductor bonding pads;a first plurality of external contacts (106..106) positioned within the first opening and bonded to some of the plurality of contact bonding pads on the substrate; a second plurality of contacts (106..106) positioned within the second opening and bonded to some of the plurality of contact bonding pads on the substrate; and one or more electronic components (108a, 108b) coupled to the substrate, a first encapsulant that covers and environmentally seals the one or more electronic components (108a, 108b); a metal shield (210,310) coupled to the base portion of the metal frame and encasing a portion of the substrate and the one or more electronic components (108a, 108b), the metal shield having a leg (220A, 220B) that is substantially perpendicular to the substrate and coupled to the substrate at the ground pad; and a second encapsulant that covers and environmentally seals the ground pad and at least a portion of the leg (220A, 220B).