Can smaller directory companies providing maps and local information compete with the sector’s global giants? The FT.com has an in-depth article looking at 192.com, Touch Local and Multimap, three privately owned UK companies, with the goal of becoming the “mighty minnows” of the local knowledge market. They’ve got stiff competition: Google (NSDQ: GOOG) and its mapping service; Nokia, (NYSE: NOK) which just bought Navteq for £3.93 billion ($8.1 billion); and personal navigation device maker TomTom hoping to buy Dutch mapping firm Tele Atlas after rival Garmin dropped out of the bidding.

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