Orange has recently been the most ambitious European operator in chasing markets in emerging economies, but it is becoming more flexible about its routes to market as it continues to battle the effects of recession and debt. While it is still looking for suitable acquisitions in significant African and Middle Eastern countries, it is also selling some of its smaller holdings, and turning instead to partnership programs and even to over-the-top or Wi-Fi services. These are among the methods by which carriers can establish footholds in promising markets without the significant investment and risk of an acquisition or spectrum purchase, at least in the first phase. Last year Orange set up its Horizons initiative, which focuses on developing and launching…