Antitrust Boss Playing Wireless Kingmaker in T-Mobile Deal Fix

Makan Delrahim, the U.S. Justice Department’s antitrust chief, is trying to shape a deal combining T-Mobile US Inc. and Sprint Corp. that he can pitch as a win for consumers. Here’s how he may do it.

If the $26.5 billion deal is approved, it’s likely to include conditions that give satellite TV provider Dish Network Corp. enough airwaves, prepaid customers and network access to emerge as a new national wireless competitor.

That would allow T-Mobile and financially struggling Sprint to merge and create a stronger No. 3 rival to AT&T Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc. Dish’s role would satisfy the ...