Maybe. But if it is just offering free music streaming for their customers they wouldn't need to buy 1/3rd of Tidal to deliver that.
From your link:
"Tidal will offer exclusive content that will only be available to Sprint subscribers -- yes, even being a loyal listener won't be enough. you'll hear more details on offers and promos "soon," Sprint says."
Well the word content could mean many things. Does it mean tracks that are not available to regular Tidal subscribers? (That's doubtful to me as it seems Tidal has a vast library already). Or perhaps content means a better SQ specifically to Sprint phones like I was guessing. As the market for everything from new cell phone tech, carriers, and streaming music tightens all the players in this high stakes game will be looking for the advantage that will bring in the subscribers. Having a cell phone that would stream a CD quality content from Tidal would bring in many IMO but at a big cost to them without some sort of compression.. I know you work in some fashion for the cell industry and are probably in the know, but I wouldn't poo poo this so quickly, particularly in the long term..