Brett Molina | USA TODAY

The head of the Federal Communications Commission is formally recommending approval of a deal to merge wireless carriers T-Mobile and Sprint.

In a statement released Wednesday, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said he has shared a draft order to approve the merger of the third- and fourth-largest wireless carriers in the U.S. in a deal worth $26 billion.

"The evidence conclusively demonstrates that this transaction will bring fast 5G wireless service to many more Americans and help close the digital divide in rural areas," Pai said in a statement.

Opponents of the merger, including FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, believe the deal will stifle competition in the wireless market.

"I believe we need more competition, not less," said Rosenworcel in a statement posted on Twitter Wednesday. "I am not convinced that removing a competitor will lead to better outcomes for consumers."

Last month, the Justice Department cleared the way for the merger to take place subject to conditions including the sale of Sprint's Boost Mobile to Dish Network.

Today, I circulated an order that would approve, subject to conditions, the proposed merger of T-Mobile and Sprint. The deal would advance fast #5G across the country, help close #digitaldivide, and put critical mid-band spectrum to use. My full statement: https://t.co/fBKvLnPgmm pic.twitter.com/21r3Us9cUG — Ajit Pai (@AjitPaiFCC) August 14, 2019

Just landed in my in-box: the @FCC’s draft order approving the largest wireless merger in history. I believe we need more competition, not less. I am not convinced that removing a competitor will lead to better outcomes for consumers. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/gBK13WTaV7 — Jessica Rosenworcel (@JRosenworcel) August 14, 2019