Qwest Communications International Inc. posted a profit for its third quarter Wednesday but said the continued slide of its traditional phone business is forcing it to cut 1,200 jobs, 3 percent of its work force.

The cuts will come before the end of the year, which will leave the company with 33,500 employees, 9 percent fewer than at the end of last year. That’s about the same rate at which customers are canceling their phone service to go wireless or sign up with the cable company.

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