A modular plug (10) and multi-pair cable (14) assembly provides reduced near-end crosstalk between two signal pairs (18) of the cable. A modular plug (10) has a plurality of wire-receiving passages (32) disposed in first and second planar arrays spaced one above the other, with the passages (32) of one planar array being staggered in position with respect to the passages of the other planar array. An end of a first wire (38) of each of two signal pairs is received in respective wire-receiving passages (32) of the first planar array and an end of a second wire of the two signal pairs (38) is received in respective wire-receiving passages (32) of the second pair plane in which the wire ends of the second pair are situated. In this manner crosstalk between the two signal pairs resulting from magnetic and electric field coupling is reduced.
