In Germany my Vivatel prepaid SIM is admitted to E-Plus' GSM network only, but not to their 3G network. I can receive SMS, but can't place or receive calls or send SMS. *102# is blocked, too.
For E-Plus coverage see 
http://www.gsmworld.com/cgi-bin/ni_map.pl?cc=de&net=e3
Regarding other countries, I haven't tested yet my Vivatel SIM there.