Why does my phone occasionally "not send" a text?

[Android Central Question]

I have a ZTE Blade Spark. Everything is up to date.

So about 1/3rd of the text messages that I send say "Sending..." for a minute and then say "Not Sent" with a retry button. Sometimes I get a reply from the person that indicates that sometimes they are still receiving the texts but I'm not sure if they are every time or not. It's very frustrating having to hit a resend button all day. It's not a service problem. And usually when I hit the resend button it sends. But then I have to worry that I just double-sent a text. Then a few times I've had texts build up and after restarting the phone they all come in at once. Is there a fix?

 

[ManiacJoe]

Which version of android is your Spark running?
Which carrier?
Which SMS app?

 

[8livesleft]

Usually that's on the carrier. To me that happens when I try sending to someone on another network.

 

[Rukbat]

Usually that's on the carrier. To me that happens when I try sending to someone on another network.

With text? We solved that for MMS over 13 years ago - and text was never an issue, only intercarrier MMS. I guess the industry "fixed" something again.

 

[Insane225]

Hey y'all. I'm the guy whom asked the question, I just didn't have an account when I did it.
First of all, thank y'all for the replies.
My Droid is running 7.1.1. I'm with at&t and I'm using the regular messaging sms app that comes with the phone. I don't like using these different messaging apps or special keyboards or any of that type stuff.