If you have the misfortune of getting the version of the E71 supplied by Three, it has access to the 2G network blocked. So when outwith an area of 3G coverage, the phone wont work.

It will burn through the battery and heat up its rear metal panel trying to find a signal that is not there and if spending time out of 3G areas the battery can flatten in under eight hours.

You can still make calls if you take an unlocked 2G phone with you, as this means shoving the sim in it can work on 2G. But its crazy Three block 2G access just to save paying other providers to carry your calls, at the price of leaving you with a phone that is useless in many places even phones costing a tenner can cover.