A dual orientation plug connector comprising: a 180 degree symmetrical connector tab adapted to be inserted into a receptacle connector during a mating event, the connector tab having width, height and length dimensions and comprising a conductive frame that defines a shape of the connector tab, the conductive frame being a metal frame, the conductive frame having first and second opposing sides (44a, 44b) extending in the width and length dimensions, and third and fourth opposing sides (44c, 44d) extending between the first and second sides (44a, 44b) in the height and length dimensions, the first side including a first opening and the second side including a second opening directly opposite the first opening; a first contact region formed in the first opening of the conductive frame, the first contact region including a first plurality of external contacts (106..(106) and dielectric material between each adjacent contact in the first plurality of contacts (106..(106) and between each contact in the first plurality of contacts (106..(106) and the conductive frame; and a second contact region formed in the second opening of the conductive frame, the second contact region including a second plurality of external contacts (106..(106) and dielectric material between each adjacent contact in the second plurality of contacts (106..(106) and between each contact in the second plurality of contacts (106..(106) and the conductive frame, characterized in that each of the first and second pluralities of contacts (106..(106) includes first and second data contacts (106, 106 106, 106) arranged to carry data signals with the first data contact (106) in the first plurality of contacts (106..(106) being electrically connected to the first data contact (106) in the second plurality of contacts (106..(106) and the second data contact (106) in the first plurality of contacts (106..(106) being electrically connected to the second data contact (106) in the second plurality of contacts (106..(106), wherein the first and second data contacts (106, 106 106, 106) in the second plurality of contacts (106..(106) are positioned directly opposite or in a cater corner relationship to the first and second data contacts (106, 106, 106, 106) in the first plurality of contacts (106..(106). a 180 degree symmetrical connector tab adapted to be inserted into a receptacle connector during a mating event, the connector tab having width, height and length dimensions and comprising a conductive frame that defines a shape of the connector tab, the conductive frame being a metal frame, the conductive frame having first and second opposing sides (44a, 44b) extending in the width and length dimensions, and third and fourth opposing sides (44c, 44d) extending between the first and second sides (44a, 44b) in the height and length dimensions, the first side including a first opening and the second side including a second opening directly opposite the first opening; a first contact region formed in the first opening of the conductive frame, the first contact region including a first plurality of external contacts (106..(106) and dielectric material between each adjacent contact in the first plurality of contacts (106..(106) and between each contact in the first plurality of contacts (106..(106) and the conductive frame; and a second contact region formed in the second opening of the conductive frame, the second contact region including a second plurality of external contacts (106..(106) and dielectric material between each adjacent contact in the second plurality of contacts (106..(106) and between each contact in the second plurality of contacts (106..(106) and the conductive frame, characterized in that each of the first and second pluralities of contacts (106..(106) includes first and second data contacts (106, 106 106, 106) arranged to carry data signals with the first data contact (106) in the first plurality of contacts (106..(106) being electrically connected to the first data contact (106) in the second plurality of contacts (106..(106) and the second data contact (106) in the first plurality of contacts (106..(106) being electrically connected to the second data contact (106) in the second plurality of contacts (106..(106), wherein the first and second data contacts (106, 106 106, 106) in the second plurality of contacts (106..(106) are positioned directly opposite or in a cater corner relationship to the first and second data contacts (106, 106, 106, 106) in the first plurality of contacts (106..(106).