Help Confused about mobile data

[supergoose]

Hi! I'm kinda new to having service and mobile data, since most of my life I just used wifi. For the past year I had service and everything was working perfectly. I have boost mobile and sprint. Last month, I wasn't able to use mobile data, except to send text messages. I couldn't recieve photo messages or go online. I thought I ran out or used it all up for the month, but actually it doesn't seem like I did. I paid for more mobile or roaming data, which seemed to work for a week but now I can't use it anymore. I'm attaching screenshots of my data usage because I must be missing something. I think the problem started sometime in September. Also what is the difference between mobile and roaming (if there is a difference)? Thanks to anyone who responds!
Oh one more question: Whenever I go on a trip I have issues with this too. Is it a sprint thing? It's bot just like "oh this is a deadzone," it seems like places that everyone else has normal strong connection.

 

[Dannydet]

https://www.boostmobile.com/plans.html

https://www.t-mobile.com/?src=spr&rdpage=en/home&INTNAV=TopNav:Logo

So you are using both?

 

[puppykickr]

Probably due to T-Mobile buying Sprint.
T-Mobile is a total joke, and a waste of time and money if you want a working phone.

Their 'service', if you can call it that, would be worth less than nothing even if it were free.

I had Sprint, and was very happy with it.
Then came the merger, and I might as well not even have a cellular provider at all.

My phone only works at work, where I am not allowed to use it anyway.
Everywhere else I have to use Wi-Fi.
Luckily there are apps like Dingtone and Telegram around, which is the only way that I can make calls or receive texts at home or whenever travelling.

 

[kate]

I couldn't recieve photo messages or go online. I thought I ran out or used it all up for the month, but actually it doesn't seem like I did.
Also what is the difference between mobile and roaming (if there is a difference)?

Most prepaid carriers only give you a small amount of roaming data per month (data on another carriers network).

It's possible you don't have a good enough signal to use data, or are roaming and used up your small monthly amount.

It's bot just like "oh this is a deadzone," it seems like places that everyone else has normal strong connection.

Are those other people using the same network as you? If they're on AT&T or Verizon their signal will be different then yours.

Have you gotten a new Boost Mobile SIM that uses T-Mobile? If you have an old Sprint SIM and they decommissioned Sprint towers in your area after T-Mobile bought Sprint that might cause worse reception.

If T-Mobile simply doesn't have good coverage where you are I'd recommend switching to a carrier using AT&T or Verizon.