Abstract: A contact element and mechanism for use in a connector, the connector comprising a socket adapted for receiving a cable plug comprising a terminal contact. The contact element and mechanism comprise a flexible dielectric substrate and a first conductive strip on a first surface of the substrate. When the plug is inserted into the socket, the terminal contact comes into contact with the conductive strip. There is also provided a compensating connector for interconnection with a cable plug, the plug comprising a plurality of terminal contacts. The connector comprises a socket adapted for receiving the plug, a plurality of contact elements disposed in the socket, each of the contact elements comprising a conductive strip, and a compensation network comprised of a plurality of compensating elements. Each of the compensating elements is located adjacent to one of the contact elements.