Modular jack connector

A modular jack connector for mating with a complementary connector, comprising:

• an insulating housing having a mounting face adapted for mounting onto a circuit board;
• and a mating face and two opposite side faces all substantially perpendicular to the mounting face, the mating face defining a cavity for receiving the complementary connector therein, one of the side faces defining a channel communicating with the cavity for receiving therein a latch arm of the complementary connector;
• and
• a row of terminals retained in the housing, each terminal including a mating portion extending into the cavity and a tail portion projecting around the mounting face of the housing for electrically connecting to the circuit board, the mating portions of the row of the terminals being arranged in a direction generally perpendicular to the mounting face of the housing;
• wherein the connector comprises an insulating body, and the terminals are secured in the insulating body to form a terminal insert, the terminal insert being inserted into the insulating housing for securing the terminals in the housing;
• wherein the insulating body has a first and a second portion generally perpendicular to each other, and the second portion has a bottom face flush with the mounting face of the insulating housing;
• wherein the terminals each include a retention portion interconnecting the mating portion with the tail portion, the retention portions each having a first section disposed in a common vertical plane, the tail portions of the terminals spacing varied distances from the common vertical plane of the first sections;
• further comprising a shield assembled to the insulating housing for providing electromagnetic interference protection to signals transmitted through the terminals.