Qtel has recorded an 8.3 per cent decline in third quarter net profit to QR651.9m ($179m) compared with QR710.9m in the same period last year, Gulf Times has reported. However, net income for the first nine months rose 3.7 per cent to QR2.4bn, compared to the same period in 2009. The group’s consolidated customer base stood at 68.9m in September, up 30.6 per cent on the same period in 2009.