Over the last week we’ve been getting a lot of comments about the lack of connectivity when trying to load BBC iPlayer using the Nokia 5800. The BBC has updated it’s iPlayer support for the Nokia 5800 to Version 1.6 but it seems to have thrown many smartphone users a curve-ball by no longer allowing them access to the service.

Here we take a look at what you need to do to get BBC iPlayer working properly on your Nokia 5800.

BBC iPlayer snuck its way onto the Nokia 5800 before it had officially been announced by the BBC. Check out how we got on with the original iPlayer on our Nokia 5800. This original version suddenly popped into the Download! section and is the one most people will have installed first off.

However, the BBC has updated the service because when you try to load iPlayer it now prompts you to upgrade to version 1.6. The upgrade is all well and good and does seem to solve a couple of sizing issues that we found was a problem with the earlier version.

However, it’s become apparent that there is a connectivity issue with this version of BBC iPlayer. You’ll find you’ll be able to access iPlayer itself but when you start to run TV shows the streaming feature fails. There seems to be a couple of potential reasons for this and it’s to do with the way iPlayer interfaces with your Nokia 5800.

However, the solution is a fairly easy one to resolve and requires you to upgrade the firmware of the Nokia 5800 to Version 2, as this is the only edition of the OS that will allow iPlayer to run properly.

You can get hold of the updater from the Nokia 5800 Update service. Please remember to back up your phone before carrying out the update.

We’ve also heard that even after an update, people are finding it tricky to get a decent download connection. This may be due in part to the way RealPlayer, which handles iPlayer for the Nokia is setup. You’ll need to make sure that RealPlayer is trying to stream using Wi-Fi and not a 3G connection.